EXPERIENCE 


OK 

HESTER  ANN  ROGERS: 


AND  HER 

FUNERAL  SERMON,  BY  REV.  DR.  COKE. 


TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED 


HER  RELIGIOUS  CORRESPONDENCE. 


“Come  and  hear,  all  ye  that  fear  God,  and  I  will  declare  what 
ne  hath  done  for  my  soul.” — Psalm  lxvi,  16. 


Cincinnati: 

PUBLISHED  BY  SWORMSTEDT  &  POE, 

FOR  THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  AT  THE  WESTERN  BOOK 
CONCERN,  CORNER  OF  MAIN  AND  EIGHTH  STREETS. 

R.  P.  THOMPSON,  PRINTER. 

1853. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2018  wiffi  funding  from 
(Jetty  Research  Institute 


https://archive.0rg/detail#experiencesofhesOOroge 


EXPERIENCE 


OF 

MBS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


I  was  born  at  Macclesfield,  in  Cheshire, 
January  31,  1756,  of  which  place  my  father 
was  minister  for  many  years;  being  a  clergy¬ 
man  of  the  Church  of  England.  He  was  a 
man  of  strict  morals,  and  as  far  as  he  was  en¬ 
lightened,  of  real  piety.  I  was  trained  up  in 
the  observance  of  all  outward  duties,  and  in 
the  fear  of  those  sins,  which  in  these  modern 
times  are  too  often  deemed  accomplishments. 
I  was  not  suffered  to  name  God  but  with  the 
deepest  reverence;  and  once  for  telling  a  lie,  I 
was  corrected  in  such  a  manner  as  I  never  for¬ 
got.  We  had  constantly  family  prater;  the 
Sabbath  was  kept  strictly  sacred;  and  as  far 
as  outward  morality,  my  parents  lived  irre¬ 
proachably,  and  in  all  social  duties  were  regu¬ 
lar  and  harmonoius. 

I  was  early  drawn  out  to  secret  prayer;  I 
believed  God  was  the  author  of  all  good,  of 
all  happiness;  and  sin  the  cause  of  all  misery 
and  pain.  If,  therefore,  I  wished  for  any 
thing  I  had  not,  I  asked  God  in  secret  to  grant 
it  to  me.  And  in  any  pain  of  body,  or  in  any 
of  my  childish  grief,  I  fled  to  him  for  ease  and 
comfort;  and  it  would  be  incredible  to  some, 

3 


4 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


how  often  I  have  received  manifest  answers  to 
prayer,  when  not  more  than  four  years  old; 
and  how  my  tender  mind  has  been  comforted. 
I  was  deeply  affected,  and  had  very  serious 
thoughts  of  death  for  some  time,  and  after 
seeing  the  corpse  of  a  little  brother  of  mine, 
who  died  of  the  small-pox  when  I  was  five 
years  old,  I  took  great  delight  in  the  Bible, 
and  could  at  this  time  read  any  part  either  of 
the  Old  or  New  Testament,  always  asking 
questions  so  as  to  obtain  understanding  of 
what  I  read.  My  parents  required  that  I 
should  give  an  account  every  Sabbath  evening 
of  the  Sermons  and  lessons  I  heard  at  church, 
and  say  my  catechism  to  them,  which  they 
explained  to  my  understanding.  They  also 
required  that  I  should  learn  the  collect  for  the 
day,  and  repeat  it  with  my  other  prayers  every 
night  and  morning.  These  collects  I  also 
often  repeated  in  secret,  and  with  great  sincer¬ 
ity  before  the  Lord.  I  do  not  remember  ever 
going  to  bed  without  having  said  my  prayers, 
except  once:  I  was  then  diverted  by  a  girl 
who  told  me  many  childish  stories,  and  so  tools 
up  my  attention,  that  I  forgot  to  pray  till  I 
was  in  bed;  and  then  being  alone,  I  recollected 
what  I  had  done,  and  conscience  greatly  ac¬ 
cused  me;  so  that  I  began  to  tremble  lest  Sa¬ 
tan  should  be  permitted  of  God  to  take  me  away 
body  and  soul,  which  I  felt  I  deserved!  I 
soon  after  thought  I  saw  him  coming  to  the 
side  of  my  bed;  when  I  shrieked  out  in  such 
a  manner  as  brought  my  parents  up  stairs  to 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


5 


see  wliat  was  the  matter.  This  made  a  lasting 
impression;  and  I  never  after  dared  to  neglect 
commending  myself  to  the  protection  of  God 
before  I  slept.  I  was  at  this  time  about  six 
years  old. 

When  about  eight  years  of  age  I  heard  my 
father  say  he  had  a  very  remarkable  dream 
when  recovering  from  a  dangerous  illness: 
that  he  stood  before  the  throne  of  God,  and 
saw  his  glory.  But  not  being  able  to  gaze 
upon  it,  fell  on  his  face  in  raptures  of  joy. 

My  mother  asked  if  he  could  describe  what 
he  saw,  but  he  answered,  No,  it  was  impossi¬ 
ble  to  convey  any  idea  of  it,  the  sight  seemed 
almost  to  deprive  him  of  being.  She  asked  if 
any  thing  was  spoken  to  him,  but  he  desired 
her  to  ask  no  more  respecting  it:  nor  would  he 
ever  tell  her  any  more.  I  have  often  thought 
he  received  some  notice  in  that  dream  of  his 
approaching  dissolution.  A  material  change 
was  evident  from  that  time  in  all  his  conduct 
and  tempers.  Anger  was  ever  before  a  beset¬ 
ting  sin,  but  I  do  not  remember  to  have  seen 
him  overcome  by  it,  after  this.  He  was  more 
vigilant  in  public  and  private  duties;  more 
humble  and  patient  under  little  difficulties  and 
trials,  more  watchful  over  the  morals  of  all 
around  him,  and  took  more  pains  than  ever  to 
inform  my  infant  mind  in  all  things  which  led 
to  piety  and  virtue.  He  warned  me  against 
reading  novels  and  romances,  would  not  suffer 
me  to  learn  to  dance,  nor  to  go  on  visits  to 
play  with  those  of  my  own  age.  He  said  it 


6 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


was  the  ruin  of  youth  to  suppose  they  were 
only  to  spend  their  time  in  diversions.  I  be¬ 
lieve  I  shall  have  reason  to  bless  God  forever 
for  several  lessons  he  then  gave  me,  and  to  all 
of  which  I  listened  with  great  delight. 

In  February,  1765,  when  I  was  little  more 
than  nine  years  old,  he  took  his  last  sickness, 
a  malignant  fever,  in  which  he  lay  several 
weeks,  expressing  through  the  whole  of  it  an 
entire  submission  to  the  will  of  God,  and  an 
assurance  of  a  happy  eternity.  He  sung 
psalms,  repeated  various  Scriptures,  and  praised 
God  aloud;  and  was  continually  commending 
to  his  care  his  dear  wife  and  children,  A  few 
days  before  he  died,  he  called  aloud  for  me; 
and  when  I  came,  he  took  my  hand  in  his, 
very  affectionately,  and  said,  “My  dear  Hetty, 
you  look  dejected.  You  must  not  let  your 
spirits  be  cast  down;  God  hath  ever  cared  for 
me,  and  he  will  take  care  of  mine.  He  will 
bless  you,  my  dear,  when  I  am  gone.  I  hope 
you  will  be  a  good  child,  and  then  you  will  be 
happy.”  Then  laying  his  hand  on  my  head, 
he  lifted  his  eyes  to  heaven,  and  with  a  solem¬ 
nity  I  shall  never  forget,  said:  “Unto  God’s 
gracious  mercy  and  protection  I  commit  thee; 
the  Lord  bless  thee,  and  keep  thee:  the  Lord 
lift  up  the  light  of  his  countenance  upon  thee, 
and  give  thee  peace,  and  make  thee  his  child 
and  faithful  servant  to  thy  life’s  end!”  I  can 
not  find  words  to  express  what  were  the  feel¬ 
ings  of  my  heart  on  this  occasion.  Love  for 
my  valuable  and  affectionate  parent;  grief  to 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


7 


reflect  I  was  now  losing  him,  and  gratitude 
that  his  dying  lips  had  pronounced  such  a 
blessing  on  my  head,  quite  overpowered  me. 
I  fell  on  my  knees,  gave  vent  to  my  feelings 
in  a  flood  of  tears,  and  continued  to  weep  till 
my  eyes  were  almost  swelled  up.  He  died  the 
tenth  of  April,  1765. 

My  grief  for  some  time  would  not  suffer  me 
to  take  recreations  of  any  kind;  but  I  would 
sit  and  read  to  my  mother,  or  weep  with  her. 
But  after  a  season,  I  was  invited  to  the  houses 
of  relations  and  friends;  and  as  I  soon  became 
a  laughing-stock  among  them  for  my  serious¬ 
ness,  and  dislike  to  their  manners  and  their 
plays,  I  began  to  be  ashamed  of  being  so  par¬ 
ticular.  My  mother  was  also  now  prevailed 
on  to  let  me  learn  to  dance,  in  order  to  raise 
my  spirits  and  improve  my  carriage,  etc. 
This  was  a  fatal  stab  to  my  seriousness  and 
divine  impressions;  it  paved  the  way  to  light¬ 
ness,  trifling,  love  of  pleasure,  and  various 
evils.  As  I  soon  made  some  proficiency,  I 
delighted  much  in  this  insnaring  folly.  My 
pride  was  fed  by  being  admired,  and  began  to 
make  itself  manifest  with,  all  its  fruits.  I  now 
aimed  to  excel  my  companions,  not  in  piety, 
but  in  fashionable  dress;  and  could  not  rest 
long  without  being  engaged  in  parties  of  pleas¬ 
ure,  and  especially  in  this — what  the  world 
Calls — innocent  amusement.  I  also  obtained 
all  the  novels  and  romances  I  possjbly  could, 
and  spent  some  time  every  day  in  reading 
them,  though  at  first  it  was  unknown  to  my 


8  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

mother,  who  would  not  then  suffer  it.  After 
this  I  attended  plays  also.  In  short,  I  fell  into 
all  the  vain  customs  and  pleasures  of  a  delu¬ 
sive  world,  as  far  as  my  situation  in  life  would 
admit,  and  even  beyond  the  proper  limits  of 
that  station  in  which  God  had  placed  me. 
Thus  was  my  precious  time  misspent,  and  my 
foolish  heart  wandered  far  from  happiness  and 
God,  urging1  me  on  to  endless  ruin.  Yet  in 
all  this  I  was  not  left  without  keen  convictions, 
gentle  drawings,  and  many  short-lived  good 
resolutions,  especially  till  fifteen  years  of  age. 
God  often  wrought  strongly  upon  my  mind, 
and  that  in  various  ways,  of  which  I  come 
now  to  speak.  But  O,  how  did  I  grieve  and 
resist  the  Holy  Ghost!  How  justly  might  he 
have  given  me  up;  yea,  and  sealed  me  over  to 
eternal  destruction! 

In  the  year  1769,  when  I  was  thirteen 
years  old,  the  bishop  of  Chester  being  to  hold 
a  confirmation  at  Macclesfield,  I  resolved  to 
attend  that  ordinance,  though  it  was  with 
many  tears  and  much  trembling;  for  I  believed 
till  persons  were  confirmed  they  were  not  fully 
accountable  to  God_  for  their  own  conduct. 
But  when  this  solemn  renewal  of  the  baptis¬ 
mal  covenant  was  made  in  their  own  persons, 
then  whosoever  did  not  keep  that  covenant 
must  perish  everlastingly.  I  therefore  endeav¬ 
ored  seriously  to  understand  the  import  of  it, 
and  was  deeply  convinced  I  was  neither  in¬ 
wardly  nor  outwardly  what  it  required.  The 
knowledge  of  this  wrought  much  sorrow;  and 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


9 


I  formed  strong  resolutions  to  lead  a  new  life. 
Yet  sin  had  so  blinded  my  eyes,  that  I  could 
not  at  this  time  believe,  or  at  least  I  would 
not,  that  dancing,  cards,  or  attending  plays, 
was  sinful.  These,  therefore,  I  did  not  even 
resolve  against.  But  I  resolved  against  anger, 
pride,  disobedience  to  my  parent;  also  the 
neglect  of  secret  prayer  and  church-going; 
with  all  wanderings  of  heart  in  those  duties, 
and  a  variety  of  other  evil  tempers  of  which 
I  knew  myself  guilty.  Having  humbled  my¬ 
self  before  God,  fasted  and  prayed,  and,  as  I 
vainly  thought,  fortified  myself  by  these  reso¬ 
lutions  of  keeping  all  God’s  commands  in  fu¬ 
ture,  I  ventured  to  take  upon  me  the  solemn 
vow.  But  such  was  my  fear  and  trembling 
at  the  time,  that  when  I  approached  the  altar 
I  was  near  fainting;  and  when  I  returned  to 
the  pew  I  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears.  This 
was  on  Whitsunday,  and  I  intended  to  receive 
the  holy  sacrament  the  Sunday  following. 
But  before  I  came,  I  was  conscious  I  had  al¬ 
ready  broken  my  solemn  vows;  and  on  the  re¬ 
flection,  my  distress  was  great,  and  I  had 
many  doubts  whether  partaking  of  the  Lord’s 
supper  would  not  be  sealing  my  own  damna¬ 
tion.  However,  one  day  as  I  was  praying,  it 
came  into  my  mind  this  holy  sacrament  is 
called  a  means  of  grace;  surely,  then,  it  is 
just  what  so  sinful,  so  helpless  a  soul  wants. 
I  will  go  to  it  then  as  a  means  whereby  to  re¬ 
ceive  strength  and  grace  to  conquer  sin  in  fu¬ 
ture.  In  this  view  of  that  blessed  ordinance  I 


10 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


found  much  comfort;  and  I  am  now  assured  it 
was  from  the  Lord,  whom  ignorantly  I  was 
feeling  after.  I  approached  the  Lord’s  table, 
therefore,  with  renewed  vows,  and  renewed 
hopes;  but,  alas!  these  also  were  as  the  “morn¬ 
ing  cloud,  and  as  the  early  dew,  which  passeth 
away.”  For  several  months  I  thus  repented 
and  sinned,  resolved,  and  broke  all  my  resolu¬ 
tions;  sinned  and  repented  again.  I  dared 
not  to  receive  the  Lord’s  supper  without  re¬ 
solving  on  a  new  life;  neither  dared  I  to  stay 
from  it;  nor  did  I  ever  attend  without  being 
wrought  on  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 

The  latter  end  of  this  year  I  had  a  malig¬ 
nant  fever,  and  believed  I  should  die.  I  felt 
myself  totally  unprepared  to  appear  before  a 
holy  God,  and  was  in  great  distress:  I  earn¬ 
estly  entreated  him  to  spare  me  a  little  longer, 
and  resolved  I  would  then  spend  a  new  life 
indeed.  A  patient,  forbearing  God  of  love 
listened  to  my  request,  and  did  not  cut  the 
fig-tree  down.  One  night  during  this  illness  I 
dreamed  my  soul  was  separated  from  the  body, 
and  I,  with  three  of  my  cousins,*  with  whom 
I  had  a  close  intimacy,  and  who  I  thought  had 
left  the  body  also,  were  waiting  in  dreadful 
expectation  of  being  summoned  to  the  bar  of 
God;  and  we  all  believed  our  doom  would  be 

*  N.  B.  These  three  cousins  were  Robert  Roe,  whose 
experience  and  death  is  related  in  the  Arminian  Magazine, 
and  two  of  his  sisters,  Mary  and  Frances.  These  are  all 
asleep  in  Jesus,  and  their  happy  spirits  rejoicing  before  his 
throne;  though  at  the  time  of  this  dream  they  were  un¬ 
awakened  sinners. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


11 


everlasting  darkness!  My  sins  all  appeared  as 
in  array  against  me,  in  the  court  of  conscience, 
and  my  mouth  was  stopped:  I  had  no  plea 
whatever,  no  hope;  for  it  seemed  the  justice 
of  God  must  unavoidably  sentence  me  to  end¬ 
less  misery,  which  I  felt  to  be  my  real  desert/ 
and  was  bewailing  my  own  folly  with  bitter 
cries  and  lamentations.  Their  employ  I 
thought  was  the  same;  each  of  us  dreading 
“the  worm  that  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  which 
never  shall  be  quenched!”  When  suddenly 
the.e  appeared  a  cloud  of  uncommon  bright¬ 
ness,  and  soon  after  a  glorious  angel  descended 
in  the  cloud,  and  stood  before  us,  clothed  in 
white,,  with  a  majesty  and  beauty  not  to  be 
described.  We  beheld  his  approach  with 
trembling  awe,  and  almost  an  agony  of  de¬ 
spair,  believing  he  was  sent  to  summon  us  to 
appear,  and  receive  the  deserved  but  dreadful 
sentence,  “Depart,  ye  accursed!”  But,  to 
our  inconceivable  surprise,  he  smiled  on  us 
with  heavenly  sweetness,  and  said,  “The  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  has  forgiven  all  your  sins,  and 
washed  you  in  his  own  blood,  and  I  am  come 
to  bid  you  enter  into  the  joy  of  your  Lord, 
and  to  conduct  you  into  his  blissful  presence!” 
Being  now  suddenly  transported  'from  depths 
of  misery  into  joy  unspeakable,  love  beyond 
compare,  and  extreme  delight,  I  thought  I 
sprung  up,  clapped  my  hands,  leaped  for  joy, 
and  praised  my  God  in  ecstasies  unknown  be¬ 
fore;  so  that  it  awoke  me!  Never  did  I  feel 
anything  like  what  I  felt  in  this  dream,  sleep- 


12 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


mg  or  waking,  before  or  after,  till  the  Lord 
did  truly  speak  my  sins  forgiven.  This  made 
a  deep  impression  on  my  mind  for  some  time. 
For  a  month  or  two  I  was  very  serious  and 
circumspect,  and  read  all  the  religious  books  I 
could  meet  with.  One  of  these  I  remember 
asserted,  that  we  are  all  to  be  judged  accord¬ 
ing  to  our  works;  therefore,  if  our  good  works 
are  more  than  our  evil  ones,  we  are  in  a  fair 
and  sure  way  for  heaven  when  we  die;  but  if 
our  evil  works  exceed  our  good,  we  may  ex¬ 
pect  condemnation.  I  thought  I  would  impar¬ 
tially  examine  myself  by  this  rule,  and  see 
what  hope  I  should  have  for  my  own  soul  on 
these  terms.  I  therefore  made  a  little  book, 
in  which  I  put  down  every  good  and  bad  action 
with  great  sincerity;  at  the  same  time  praying 
to  God  to  show  me  if  I  were  in  the  way  to 
heaven  or  not.  But  then  there  were  many 
things,  as  before  observed,  which  I  did  not 
account  sinful;  and  again,  many  things  I  ac¬ 
counted  good  actions,  because  entirely  igno¬ 
rant  that  an  impure  motive,  in  the  sight  of  that 
God  who  searcheth  the  heart,  renders  our  ac¬ 
tions,  however  splendid  in  the  sight  of  men, 
abominable  before  him.  Every  act  of  obedi¬ 
ence  to  my  elders  or  superiors  I  accounted  a 
good  action;  as  also  every  prayer  I  offered, 
every  ordinance  I  attended,  every  time  I  spoke 
the  truth,  instead  of  denying  a  fault:  and  in 
order  to  swell  the  number  of  my  good  actions, 
I  would  sometimes  refuse  going  to  a  play,  or 
to  an  entertainment,  and  read  to  my  mother  at 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


13 


home.  Nay,  with  this  view  I  have  fasted 
whole  days  from  morning  till  evening;  but 
after  all  I  found  my  bad  actions  more  than  my 
good  ones.  Yet  I  -went  on  resolving  to  be 
better,  and  still  keeping  the  account,  till  being 
at  a  dance,  I  pulled  out  my  little  book  with 
my  pocket  handkerchief,  and  it  was  found,  and 
made  the  jest  of  the  company.  I  was  then 
so  ashamed,  that  I  resolved  to  follow  this 
method  no  more. 

I  met  with  another  book,  which  affirmed  it 
was  impossible  to  conquer  all  sins  at  once;  and 
if  ever  we  would  obtain  victory,  it  must  be  by 
overcoming  first  one  and  then  another.  Pride 
and  anger  I  felt  to  be  my  most  besetting  sins, 
and  therefore  set  myself  against  these  in  par¬ 
ticular.  But  I  was  foiled  in  every  attempt, 
and  it  seemed,  as  the  poet  says, 

“The  more  I  strove  against  their  power, 

I  sinn’d  and  stumbled  but  the  more.” 

So  that  this  trial  only  made  a  more  clear  dis¬ 
covery  that  pride  was  interwoven  with  my 
every  thought,  and  word,  and  action.  I  was 
now  quite  discouraged,  and  thought  it  was  all 
in  vain  to  strive  for  a  victory  so  impossible  to 
gain!  I  then  looked  around,  and  considered 
the  conduct  of  others;  and  when  I  saw  them 
more  trifling,  more  wicked  than  myself,  and 
some  of  them,  who  passed  for  amiable  charac¬ 
ters,  guilty  of  things  which  my  soul  shuddered 
at,  I  began  to  conclude  I  was  very  good,  com¬ 
pared  with  these;  and  surely  all  these  would 
not  be  doomed  to  hell  and  damnation!  That 


14  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

God  was  merciful,  Christ  died  for  sinners,  and 
therefore,  if  I  lived  a  tolerably  moral  life,  he 
would  pardon  and  accept  me  through  the 
merits  of  Christ  in  the  hour  of  death;  or,  at 
least,  I  had  as  good  a  chance  as  others;  and 
therefore  would  cast  away  fear,  and  live  like 
the  rest  of  my  moral  neighbors.  It  was  some 
time,  however,  before  I  had  so  resisted  the 
convictions  of  the  Holy  Spirit  as  to  remain  at 
ease:  he  strove  with  me  various  ways,  till  I 
was  a  little  more  than  fifteen.  But  I  so  re¬ 
peatedly  grieved  and  quenched  the  motions  of 
that  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  was  then  in  some 
measure  given  up  to  my  own  foolish,  rebellious 
heart.  Dress,  novels,  plays,  cards,  assemblies, 
and  balls,  took  up  the  most  of  my  time,  so 
that  my  mother  began  to  fear  the  consequences 
of  my  living  so  much  above  my  station  in  life. 
But  I  would  not  now  listen  to  her  admonitions. 
I  loved  pleasures,  and  after  them  I  would  go. 

What  increased  my  vanity  and  pride  was, 
that  I  was  much  beloved  by  my  godmother,* 
a  lady  of  very  considerable  fortune,  and  often 
spent  most  of  the  summer  months  at  Adling- 
ton  with  her,  where  I  was  always  treated  as  if 
she  intended  to  bestow  a  handsome  fortune  on 
me.  She  introduced  me  into  the  company  of 
those  in  high  life,  and  enabled  me,  ,  by  large 
presents,  to  dress  in  a  manner  suitable  to  such 
company.  0,  how  fatal  in  general  are  such 
prospects  to  a  young  mind!  Yet  in  all  this,  I 

*  A  woman  who  becomes  sponsor  for  a  child  in  bap¬ 
tism. — Ed. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  15 

still  wished  to  preserve  a  religious  appearance. 
I  still  frequented  Church  and  sacraments,  still 
prayed  night  and  morning,  fasted  sometimes, 
and  especially  in  Lent;*  and  because  I  did 
these  things  esteemed  myself  a  far  better 
Christian  than  my  neighbors.  Yea,  so  blind 
was  I,  that  I  had  a  better  opinion  now  of  my 
own  goodness  than  formerly,  when  I  was  far 
more  earnest  about  salvation.  What  a  proof 
that  sin  darkens  the  understanding! 

In  the  summer  of  1773  I  was  at  Adlington 
with  my  godmother  above  mentioned;  when  I 
heard  various  accounts  of  a  clergyman  whom 
my  uncle  Roe  had  recommended  to  be  curate 
at  Macclesfield,  and  who  was  said  to  be  a 
Methodist. f  This  conveyed  to  my  mind  as 
unpleasing  an  idea  of  him,  as  if  he  had  been 
called  a  Romish  priest;  being  fully  persuaded 
that  to  be  a  Methodist  was  to  be  all  that  was 
vile  under  a  mask  of  piety.  These  prejudices 
were  owing  to  the  false  stories  which  from 
time  to  time  I  heard  repeated  to  my  father 
when  about  seven  or  eight  years  old;  and  also 
many  more  which  my  mother  heard  after  his 
death,  and  to  the  present  time;  so  that  I  be¬ 
lieved  their  teachers  were  the  false  prophets 
spoken  of  in  the  Scripture;  that  they  decei^d 
the  illiterate,  and  were  little  better  than  com¬ 
mon  pickpockets;  that  they  filled  some  of  their 

*  A  fast  in  the  Church  of  England.  It  continues  forty 
days,  or  from  Ash- Wednesday  to  Easter. — Ed. 

f  The  late  David  Sinipson,  author  of  “A  Plea  for  the 
Biblft,1’  etc. — Ed. 


16 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


hearers  with  presumption,  and  drove  others  to 
despair;  that  with  respect  to  their  doctrines, 
they  enforced  chiefly,  that  whosoever  em¬ 
braced  their  tenets,  which  they  called  faith , 
might  live  as  they  pleased,  in  all  sin,  and  be 
sure  of  salvation;  and  that  all  the  world  be¬ 
sides  must  be  damned  without  remedy;  that 
they  had  meetings  in  the  dark,  and  pretended 
to  cast  out  devils,  with  many  other  things 
equally  false  and  absurd;  but  all  of  which  I 
believed.  I  heard  also,  that  this  new  clergy¬ 
man  preached  against  all  my  favorite  diver¬ 
sions,  such  as  going  to  plays,  reading  novels, 
attending  balls,  assemblies,  card-tables,  etc. 
But  I  resolved  he  should  not  make  a  convert 
of  me;  and  that  if  I  found  him,  on  my  return 
home,  such  as  was  represented,  I  would  not 
go  often  to  hear  him. 

When  I  came  back  to  Macclesfield,  the 
whole  town  was  in  alarm.  My  uncle  Roe, 
and  my  cousins,  seemed  very  fond  of  Mr. 
Simpson,  and  told  me  he  was  a  most  excellent 
man;  but  that  all  the  rest  of  my  relations 
were  exasperated  against  him.  I  asked,  Is  it 
true  he  preaches  against  dancing?  and  said, 
I  was  resolved  to  take  the  first  opportunity 
of  conversing  with  him,  being  certain  I  could 
easily  prove  such  amusements  were  not  sinful. 
Being  told  what  arguments  he  made  use  of,  I 
revolved  them  in  my  mind;  fully  determined 
if  I  found  upon  reflection  I  could  answfer 
them,  I  would.  I  first  considered  if  any 
Scripture  example  could  be  brought.  I  re- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


17 


membered  to  have  read  of  Miriam’s  dancing; 
but  it  was  to  express  her  pious  joy  to  the 
Lord,  and  as  an  act  of  worship,  accompanied 
by  a  hymn  of  praise.  David  danced  also, 
but  it  was  in  like  manner,  and  from  like  mo¬ 
tives.  Herod’s  daughter  danced,  but  she  was 
a  heathen,  and  the  cause  of  beheading  a 
servant  of  God.  Nothing,  therefore,  which 
I  found  in  Scripture  countenanced  dancing  in 
any  measure.  I  then  began  to  consider  the 
objections  urged  against  it.  One  of  these 
was,  that  as  it  tends  to  levity  and  trifling 
mirth,  so  it  enervates  the  mind,  dissipates  the 
thoughts,  weakens,  if  not  stifles,  serious  and 
good  impressions,  and  quite  indisposes  the 
mind  for  prayer.  I  asked  my  own  heart,  Is 
not  this  a  truth?  Conscience  answered  in 
the  affirmative.  Mr.  Simpson  pleads  further, 
What  good  is  promoted  hereby?  I  would 
gladly  have  had  it  to  urge,  It  promotes  health; 
but  many  instances  of  those  who  had  lost 
health,  and  even  life,  within  my  own  knowl¬ 
edge,  through  attending  this  very  diversion, 
would  not  permit  this.  Among  others,  I  had 
a  recent  proof  in  Miss  H.,  who,  by  a  violent 
cold  taken  at  an  assembly,  was  thrown  into  a 
quick  consumption,  and  in  a  few  months  fled 
to  an  awful  eternity.  Again  he  pleads,  Are 
you  made  better  Christians,  better  husbands, 
better  children  hereby?  Better  Christians  I 
was  conscious  none  could  be  for  having  the 
mind  dissipated  and  unfitted  for  prayer.  Some 
husbands  I  knew  who  were  not  made  better, 
2 


18  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

and  some  wives,  who,  to  support  extravagant 
dress  on  such  occasions,  had  greatly  injured 
their  families.  For  my  own  part,  I  was  con¬ 
scious  it  had  led  me  to  dress  and  expenses  not 
suited  to  my  present  situation  in  life.  These 
thoughts  brought  powerful  convictions  to  my 
mind,  notwithstanding  my  desire  to  resist 
them.  I  could  not  deny  that  truth  in  par¬ 
ticular,  that  those  who  habitually  attend  such 
pleasures  lose  all  relish  for  spiritual  things; 
God  is  shut  out  of  their  thoughts  and  hearts; 
prayer,  if  they  use  any,  is  full  of  wanderings, 
or  perhaps  wholly  neglected;  and  death  put 
as  far  as  possible  out  of  sight,  lest  the  thought 
should  spoil  their  pleasures.  I  was  conscious 
beyond  a  doubt,  these  were  the  fruits  which 
this  delusive  pleasure  had  wrought  in  my  own 
soul;  and  comparing  my  present  state  of  mind 
with  what  it  was  before  I  entered  upon  this 
diversion,  so  mistakenly  called  innocent,  I 
found  cause  to  be  deeply  ashamed.  But  then, 
if  this  is  really  true,  said  I  to  myself,  I  ought 
not  to  follow  this  amusement  any  longer. 
And  can  I  give  it  up?  My  vile  heart  replied, 
I  can  not,  I  will  not.  The  Spirit  of  God 
whispered,  Will  you  then  indulge  yourself  in 
what  you  know  to  be  sin?  Would  you  wish 
to  be  struck  dead  in  the  ball-room?  My  con¬ 
flict  was  great,  yet  I  was  resolved  to  run  all 
hazards  rather  than  give  up  this  pleasure. 
Therefore  I  stifled  these  convictions  with  all 
my  might;  and  after  this  ran  more  eagerly 
than  ever  into  all  pleasurable  follies.  0  my 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


19 


patient,  long-suffering  God,  tears  of  grateful 
love  and  praise  overflow  my  eyes  when  I 
consider  my  deep  rebellion,  and  thy  sparing 
mercy! 

About  this  time  I  grew  tired  of  novels,  and 
took  great  delight  in  reading  history.  I  went 
through  several  English  and  Roman  histories, 
Rollin’s  Ancient  History,  and  Stackhouse’s 
History  of  the  Bible,  intending  to  go  through 
the  Universal  History  also.  And  now  I  be¬ 
lieved  myself  far  wiser  than  any  person  Of  my 
age.  Upon  the  whole,  I  believe  I  was  at  this 
time  on  the  pinnacle  of  destruction.  And  had 
a  just  and  holy  God  then  cut  the  brittle  thread 
of  life,  I  believe  I  should  have  sunk  into  hell. 
But  love  had  swifter  wings  than  death,  and 
mercy  to  my  rescue  flew. 

In  October,  1773,  a  neighbor  of  my  mother’s 
being  very  ill  and  very  poor,  I  went  to  visit 
her,  and  found  her,  to  my  great  surprise,  joy¬ 
fully  triumphing  over  death,  yea,  longing  to 
be  gone.  This  affected  me  much;  for  I  felt  I 
was  in  a  quite  different  state;  that  if  Death 
should  approach  me,  he  would  be  a  king  of 
terrors.  And  I  had  no  hopes  of  happiness 
beyond  the  grave.  About  this  time  also,  Mr. 
Simpson’s  sermons  began  to  sink  more  deeply 
into  my  heart,  yet  so  great  were  my  obstinacy 
and  folly,  that  I  would  come  out  of  the  church 
weeping,  and  with  the  next  person  I  met, 
would  ridicule  the  sermon  that  affected  me, 
lest  I  should  be  thought  or  called  a  Meth¬ 
odist.  I  began,  however,  in  my  serious  mo- 


20 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


ments,  to  resolve  a^ain  and  again  I  would 
break  off  my  sins  by  true  repentance;  and 
especially  that  I  would  dance  no  more.  Yet 
time  after  time  I  was  prevailed  on  by  my  car¬ 
nal  friends,  and  broke  the  promises  I  had 
made  to  my  God. 

January  the  first,  1774, 1  was  deeply  wrought 
upon  by  a  sermon  preached  on,  “What  shall 
it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world, 
and  lose  his  own  soul?”  And  soon  after, 
under  another,  on  the  Epistle  to  the  Church 
of  Laodicea.  Again,  while  Mr.  Simpson 
preached  on  the  new  birth,  from  John  iii, 
3,  I  saw,  and  felt  as  I  never  did  before,  that 
I  must  experience  that  divine  change,  or  per¬ 
ish.  But  I  had  still  one  great  hinderance 
which  I  have  not  yet  mentioned;  namely,  a 
young  person,  for  whom  I  had  a  sincere  af¬ 
fection:  he  and  two  of  his  sisters,  with  whom 
I  had  also  formed  a  strict  intimacy  from  the 
death  of  my  father,  were  my  constant  com¬ 
panions;  and  were  more  seriously  disposed 
than  any  of  the  rest.  However,  I  was  sensi¬ 
ble,  if  I  renounced  my  pleasures,  and  became 
what  God  and  my  own  conscience  now  re¬ 
quired,  I  must,  in  the  first  place,  give  him  up, 
and- that  fully;  or  ho  would  be  the  means  of 
drawing  me  back;  for  he  was  yet  unawakened, 
though  outwardly  moral. 

But  I  could  not  yet  make  this  sacrifice. 
Therefore,  I  continued  to  go  to  assemblies, 
though  conscience  bled;  and  often  in  the  midst 
of  the  dance  I  felt  as  miserable  as  a  creature 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


21 


could  be,  with  a  sense  of  guilt,  and  fears  of 
death  and  hell.  Sometimes  those  words  were 
applied,  “It  is  hard  for  thee  to  kick  against 
the  pricks. ”  And  indeed  so  I  felt  it.  Yet  I 
would  not  acknowledge  my  unhappiness  to 
any,  but  carried  it  off  with  the  appearance  of 
gayety;  and  at  the  last  assembly  I  ever  at¬ 
tended,  never  sat  down  the  whole  night,  but 
danced  till  four  o’clock  in  the  morning.  Soon 
after  this,  however,  the  Lord  wrought  a  much 
deeper  work  upon  my  soul. 

In  April,  1774,  on  the  Sunday  before  Easter, 
Mr.  Simpson  preached  from  John  vi,  44,  “No 
man  can  come  unto  me,  except  the  Father 
which  hath  sent  me  draw  him.”  Explaining 
the  drawings  of  the  Father,  he  related  his 
own  experience,  under  the  name  of  Eusebius, 
brought  up  in  all  moral  duties,  an  attendant 
on  Church  and  sacrament,  and  one  who  said 
many  prayers;  yet  when  twenty-two  years  old 
was  deeply  convinced  he  had  never  been  a 
Christian.  Could  then,  say  feelingly,  what  he 
had  often  before  repeated  in  words  only,  “  The 
remembrance  of  my  sins  is  grievous  unto  me: 
the  burden  of  them  is  intolerable.”  All  this 
sunk  into  my  very  soul;  this  was  just  my 
case.  He  mourned,  and  wept,  and  prayed! 
And  one  day  as  he  was  in  prayer,  and  had 
such  a  view  of  his  past  sinfulness,  and  pres¬ 
ent  guilt  and  pollution,  as  almost  deprived 
him  of  all  hope,  the  Lord  suddenly  removed 
his  burden,  and  spoke  pardon  and  peace  to 
his  soul,  so  that  he  felt  his  sins  were  all  for- 


22  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

given.  Lord,  said  I,  if  this  is  truth — and  I 
can  not  disbelieve  it — let  me  never  rest  till  I 
obtain  a  like  blessing.  He  went  on  to  observe 
the  nature  of  this  change,  and  the  objections 
made  in  our  day  to  this  doctrine  of  the  new 
birth.  One  of  these  objections  he  dwelt  upon; 
namely,  “We  are  born  again  when  baptized;” 
but  proved,  if  it  were  even  so,  we  must  still 
repent  anew,  and  be  forgiven,  since  all  have 
broken  the  baptismal  vow.  Then  he  appealed 
to  each:  “Have  you  renounced  the  devil  and 
all  his  works,  the  pomps  and  vanities  of  this 
wicked  world,  with  every  sinful  desire?”  while 
I  could  only  plead  guilty,  guilty.  “  Have  you 
never  taken  the  name  of  God  in  vain?  never 
profaned  his  Sabbaths?  never  set  up  idols  in 
your  heart?  If  you  have  done  these  things, 
you  have  broken  the  first  four  commandments 
of  God.”  I  pleaded  guilty  here  also:  for 
though  with  respect  to  the  third,  I  could  not 
accuse  myself  of  profanely  swearing,  or  even 
naming  my  Maker  in  conversation,  as  many 
do;  yet  this  prohibition  also  condemned  me, 
in  having  taken  the  name  of  God  in  vain  in 
my  polluted  lips  in  his  house  of  worship,  and 
appearing  before  men  engaged  in  devotion, 
while  my  heart  was  wandering  to  the  ends  of 
the  earth.  As  he  passed  through  the  rest  of 
the  commandments,  I  could  still  plead  nothing 
but  guilty.  And  when  in  the  application  of 
his  sermon  he  asked,  “Now  what  think  you 
of  the  state  of  your  souls  before  God?”  I 
felt  myself  indeed  a  lost,  perishing,  undone 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  23 

sinner;  a  rebel  against  repeated  convictions 
and  drawings;  a  rebel  against  light  and  knowl¬ 
edge;  a  condemned  criminal  by  the  law  of 
God,  and  one  who  deserved  to  be  sentenced 
to  eternal  pain!  I  felt  I  had  broken  my  bap¬ 
tismal  vow;  my  confirmation  vow;  my  sacra¬ 
mental  vows;  and  had  no  title  to  claim  any 
mercy,  any  hope,  any  plea!  I  wept  aloud,  so 
that  all  around  me  were  amazed;  nor  was  I 
any  longer  ashamed  to  own  the  cause.  I 
went  home,  ran  up  stairs,  and  fell  on  my 
knees;  and  made  a  solemn  vow  to  renounce 
and  forsake  all  my  sinful  pleasures  and  trifling 
companions, 

I  slept  none  that  night;  but  arose  early  next 
morning,  and  without  telling  my  mother,  took 
all  my  finery,  high-dressed  caps,  etc.,  and 
ripped  them  all  up,  so  that  I  could  wear  them 
no  more;  then  cut  my  hair  short,  that  it 
might  not  be  in  my  own  power  to  have  it 
dressed,  and  in  the  most  solemn  manner 
vowed  never  to  dance  again!  I  could  do 
nothing  now  but  bewail  my  own  sinfulness, 
and  cry  for  mercy.  I  could  not  eat,  or  sleep, 
or  take  any  comfort.  The  curses  throughout 
the  whole  Bible  seemed  pointed  all  at  me; 
and  I  could  not  claim  a  single  promise.  I 
saw  my  whole  life  had  been  nothing  but  sin 
and  rebellion  against- .my  Creator,  Redeemer, 
and  Sanctifier;  and  I  feared  it  was  now  too 
late  to  seek  mercy. 

Thus  I  continued  till  Good  Friday.*  My 

*  The  Friday  next  before  Easter. — Ed. 


24  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

mother  thought  I  was  losing  my  senses,  antf 
all  my  friends  endeavored  to  comfort  me  in 
vain.  After  many  conflicts  and  strong  fears, 
I  ventured,  however,  once  more  to  approach 
the  Lord’s  table,  encouraged  by  these  words, 
“A  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  0  God,  thou 
wilt  not  despise.” 

As  Mr.  Simpson  was  reading  that  sentence 
in  the  communion  service,  “If  any  man  sin, 
we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus 
Christ  the  righteous;  and.  he  is  the  propitia¬ 
tion  for  our  sins,”  a  ray  of  divine  light  and 
comfort  was  darted  on  my  soul;,  and  I  cried. 
Lord  Jesus,  let  me  feel  thou  art  the  propitia¬ 
tion  for  my  sins.  I  was  ehabled  to  believe 
there  was  mercy  for  me;  and  I,  even  I,  should 
be  saved!  I  felt  love  to  God"  spring  up  in  my 
heart,  and  in  a  measure  could  rejoice  in  him, 
so  that  I  would  have  given  all  the  world  to 
have  died  that  moment.  But,  alas,  this  was 
only  for  a  short  season!  In  the  evening  one 
of  my  cousins  calling  on  me,  who  had  been 
a  witness  to  my  late  distress,  I  told  her  of 
the  comfort  I  had  received,  and  added,  I  am 
now  not  afraid  to  die.  She  immediately  ex¬ 
claimed  it  would  be  presumption  to  say  so,  for 
even  Mr.  Simpson,  whom  she  believed  the  best 
man  on  earth,  said  he  deserved  to  go  to  hell. 
My  joy  was  damped  immediately;  and  Satan 
telling  me  I  had  deceived  myself,  I  gave  up 
my  confidence,  lost  my  peace,  and  became 
again  very  unhappy. 

It  had  been  well  for  me  if  I  had  then  known 


25 


MRS.  HESTER  ANl^  ROGERS. 

the  Methodists;  but  I  had  none  to  instruct  me. 
Yet  my  distress  was  not  the  same  as  before.  I 
had  now  a  ray  of  hope  in  God,  that  he  would 
make  me  a  new  creature  by  grace;  and  those 
horrible  and  slavish  fears  of  hell  were  re¬ 
moved.  I  felt  my  nature  all  depraved,  and 
my  soul  full  of  wounds,  and  bruised  by  sin. 
Yea,  and  I  abhorred  inyself,  truly  repenting 
before  my  God,  and  seeking  him  with  my 
whole  heart,  in  every  means  of  grace.  I  had. 
never  yet  heard  the  .Methodists;  nor  had  I 
lost  all  my  prejudices  against  them;  but  a 
neighbor  who  had  lately  found  peace  with 
God,  advised  me  strongly  to  go,  and  assured 
me  they  had  beeh  the  means  of  great  bless¬ 
ings  to  his  soul.  I  would  not  promise,  but 
resolved  to  go  privately,  so  that  neither  the 
preacher,  nor  any  other  persofi,  should  know 
of  it  till  afterward.  I  soon  after  went  at  five 
o’clock  one  morning,  and  got  into  a  private 
seat.  Mr.  Samuel  Bardsley  preached,  from 
“  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,  my  people,  safth 
your  God.”  I  thought  every  word  was  for 
me!  He  spoke  to  my  heart  as  if  he  had 
known  all  the  secret  workings  there;  and 
pointed  all  such  sinners  as  I  felt  myself  to 
be,  to  Jesus  crucified.  I  was  much  com¬ 
forted;  my  prejudices  were  now  fully  re¬ 
moved,  and  I  received  a  full  and  clear  con¬ 
viction,  “These  are  the  people  of  God,  and 
show,”  in  truth,  “the  way  of  salvation.” 

But  now  I  had  new  difficulties  to  encounter: 
I  knew  if  I  persisted  in  hearing  the  Method- 


26  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

%  +  - 
ists,  I  must  literally  give  up  all.  My  mother 
had  already  threatened,  if  she  knew  me  ever 
to  hear  them  she  would  disown  me.  Every 
friend  and  relation  I  had  in  the  world,  I  had 
reason  to  believe,  would  do  the  same.  I  had 
no  acquaintance  then  among  the  Methodists 
to  take  me  in;  nor  knew  any  refuge  to  fly  to 
but  my  God.  I  used  much  prayer,  and  en¬ 
treated  him  to  show  me  his  will,  when  those 
words  were  powerfully  applied,  “Did  ever 
any  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  was  confounded?” 
I  answered,  No,  Lord,  and  I  will  trust  thee! 
But  Satan  suggested,  “Thou  hast  no  right  to 
trust  God:  thou  art  not  his  child,  but  a  sin¬ 
ner,  a  rebel!”  I  fell  on  my  knees,  and  cried, 
“Lord,  I  am  a  repenting  sinner,  and  thou 
knowest  I  have  laid  down  my  weapons  of 
rebellion!  If  I  perish  I  will  perish  at  thy 
feet!  Only  show  me  thy  will,  and  here  I 
am.”  It  was  then  applied,  “If  any  man  will 
come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take 
up  his  cross  and  follow  me.”  I  cried,  “Lord, 
I  will  forsake  all,  and  follow  thee:  I  will  joy¬ 
fully  bear  thy  cross;  only  give  me  thyself!” 
From  that  time  I  resolved  I  would  at  all 
hazards  attend  the  preaching.  I  did  so  at 
all  opportunities,  and  it  was  a  great  comfort 
to  me. 

But  when  my  mother  heard  of  it,  a  flood 
of  persecution  burst  upon  me!  In  this  time 
of  need  God  raised  me  up  a?*  friend  in  my 
uncle  Roe,  who  prevented  my  mother  turn¬ 
ing  me  out  of  doors.  Yet  what  I  suffered. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


27 


sometimes  through  her  tears  and  entreaties, 
and  at  other  times  her  severity,  is  known  only 
to  God.  But  he  strengthened  a  feeble  worm, 
and  enabled  me  to  endure  all  with  meekness, 
as  seeing  Him  who  is  invisible.  For  eight 
weeks,  however,  I  was  closely  confined.  My 
godmother  came  to  talk  with  me,  so  did  my 
mother’s  brother,  and  my  father’s  sister;  also 
a  clergyman,  and  several  others;  but  the  Lord 
gave  me  a  mouth  and  wisdom  to  plead  my 
own  cause,  with  arguments  from  his  word,  so 
that  they  were  in  some  measure  all  put  to 
silence.  In  August,  my  mother  took  me  with 
her  to  Adlington,  on  our  usual  summer’s  visit, 
though  now  quite  contrary  to  my  inclination; 
for  I  found  i^t  a  great  grief  to  be  separated 
from  the  means  of  grace,  and  from  the  dear 
people  of  God.  Yet  I  dared  not  refuse  her 
all  obedience,  which  I  could  render  with  a, safe 
conscience.  And  though  I  believe  she  hoped 
to  wean  me  from — what  she  called — my  mel¬ 
ancholy  and  enthusiasm,  hereby,  yet  the  Lord 
kept  me  steadfast  and  immovable.  The  deep 
sense  I  had  of  my  own  weakness  and  inability 
to  resist  evil,  or  follow  that  which  is  good,  and 
the  greaf  fears  I  had  of  ever  again  grieving 
the  Holy  Spirit,  lest  he  should  strive  with  me 
no  more  forever,  convinced  me  of  the  absolute 
need  of  using  much  and  constant  prayer.  I 
therefore  left  all  company  many  times  in  a  day, 
to  retire  in  secret.  I  refused  to  conform  in 
dress,  or  in  any  thing  my  conscience  disap¬ 
proved;  and  when  called  upon,  gave  reasons 


28 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


for  my  conduct  as  the  Lord  enabled  me;  but 
always  with  meekness,  and  often  with  tears  of 
self-abasement;  so  that  in  a  little  time,  finding 
all  their  efforts  vain,  they  began  to  leave  me 
to  myself;  only  I  was  made  to  understand  I 
had  now  nothing  to  expect  from  my  godmother 
as  to  temporal  things.  This,  however,  weighed 
nothing  with  me,  as  all  my  language  was: 

“None  but  Christ  to  me  be  given, 

None  but  Christ  in  earth  or  heaven.” 

In  October  we  returned  home,  and  I  now 
reasoned  with  my  mother, -and  entreated  her 
not  to  confine  me  any  more;  telling  her  in  hu¬ 
mility,  and  yet  plainness,  I  must  .seek  the  sal¬ 
vation  of  my  soul,  whatever  is  the  consequence. 
And  in  order  to  obtain  the  end,  I  must  use  the 
means.  I  am,  therefore,  determined  to  leave 
you, h  and  go  to  be  a,  servant,  rather  than  be 
kept  from  the  Methodists.  Yet  if  you  will 
consent  to  it,  I  should  greatly  prefer  continuing 
in  ’your  house,  though  it  should  be  as  your 
servant;  and  I  am  willing  to  undertake  all  the 
work  of  the  house,  if  you  will  only  suffer  me 
to  attend  preaching.  She  listened  to  my  pro¬ 
posals,  and,  after  consulting  with  her  friends, 
consented  to  comply  on  this  last  condition;  for 
she  and  they  were  agreed  that  I,  who  had 
never  been  accustomed  to  hard  labor,  would 
soon  be  weary,  and  give  it  up.  But  they  knew 
not  the  power  and  goodness  of  that  God  who 
had  strengthened  me  in  all  my  tribulation. 

November  the  first  I  entered  upon  my  new 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


29 


employments  joyfully,  undertaking  my  every 
labor  for  His  sake  who  bled  for  me  on  Cal¬ 
vary!  and  began  to  feel,  at  times  much  com¬ 
fort,  and  reviving  hopes,  that  my  redemption 
drew  near,  and  the  happy  hour  when  I  should 
praise  a  pardoning  God.  Mr.  Wesley’s  Ser¬ 
mon  on  Justification  by  Faith  was  a  great 
encouragement  to  me.  This  sermon  I  read 
many  times  over  with  prayer,  and  could  some¬ 
times  almost  embrace  the  promises. 

On  Monday,  November  lOtlr,  I  had  strong 
conflicts  with  Satan,  who  told  me  I  might  as 
well  give  up  all,  for  I  should  never  obtain  a 
pardon!  I  had  sinned  beyond  hope!  I  felt  my 
heart  very  hard,  and  he  suggested,  “This  is  a 
proof  that  God  has  2'iven  thee  up  to  hardness 
and  impenitence.  Where  are  thy  repentance 
and  tears,  and  brokenness  of  heart?  If  thou 
couldst  repent,  and  weep,  and  mourn,  like 
others,  there  would  be  hope.  But  where  is 
thy  sorrow  for  sin?  Thou  canst  not  shed  a 
tear.”  /I  was  so  burdened  and  distressed  that 
day,  that  I  could  not  Go  my  work,  and  my 
mother  reproached  me.  But  I  besieged  the 
throne  of  grace  with  strong  crying  and  sup¬ 
plications,  to  Him  that  was  able  to  save,  and 
who  well  knew  the  Spirit’s  groaning  in  my 
heart. 

My  cousin,  Charles  Boe,  then  much  devoted 
to  God,  put  into  my  hands  a  little  pamphlet, 
entitled,  “The  Great  Duty  of  believing  on  the 
Son  of  God.”  Jesus  was  here  set  forth  in  all 
his  loveliness  of  free  grace  toward  a  poor 


30 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


returning  prodigal,  as  every  way  suited  to  the 
sinner’s  wants,  and  all-sufficient  to  save  the 
vilest  of  the  vile.  As  willing  now,  even  as 
willing  as  when  he  hung  on  Calvary,  bleeding 
and  dying  to  save  sinners:  yea,  his  very  mur¬ 
derers!  I  was  much  encouraged  in  reading 
this,  and  would  gladly  have  spent  the  night  in 
prayer;  but  my  mother — with  whom  I  slept — - 
would  not  suffer  it.  I  therefore  went  to  bed, 
but  could  not  sleep:  and  at  four  in  the  morning 
rose  again,  that  I  might  wrestle  with  the  Lord. 
I  prayed,  but  it  seemed  in  vain.  I  walked  to 
and  fro,  groaning  for  mercy,  then  fell  again 
on  my  knees:  but  the  heavens  appeared  as 
brass,  and  hope  seemed  almost  sunk  into  de¬ 
spair,  when  suddenly  the  Lord  spoke  those 
words  to  my  heart,  “Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved.”  I  revived, 
and  cried,  “Lord,  I  know  this  is  thy  word, 
and  I  can  depend  on  it.  But  what  is  faith? 
O  show  me  how  to  believe — show  me  what  is 
the  Gospel  faith,  or  I  am  yet  undone.  I  de¬ 
sire  mot  deliverance  except  in  thy  own  way:  I 
desire  no  happiness,  but  thy  favor.  What 
shall  I  do?  0  teach  me,  0  help  me,  or  I  am 
lost!”  That  word  came  with  divine  evidence 
and  sweetness  to  my  heart,  “  Cast  all  thy  care 
upon  him,  for  he  careth  for  thee.”  I  said, 
“Lord,  dost  thou  care  for  me?  and  is  this 
faith,  to  cast  all  my  care,  even  all  my  sins — 
for  I  have  no  other  care — upon  thee?  May  I? 
Dost  thou  bid  me?  a  poor  hell-deserving  sin¬ 
ner;  a  sinner  against  light,  and  conviction. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  31 

and  repeated  vows;  can  such  love  dwell  in 
thee?  Is  it  not  too  easy  a  way?  May  I,  even 
I,  be  saved,  if  I  only  cast  my  soul  on  Jesus? 
My  burden  of  sin,  my  load  of  guilt,  my  every 
crime?  What,  sa^ed  from  all  this  guilt;  saved 
into  the  favor  of  God!  the  holy  God!  and  be¬ 
come  his  child;  and  that  now,  this  moment! 
0  it  is^too  great — it  can  not,  surely  it  can  not 
be!”  (0  what  a. struggle  had  Satan  and 
unbelief  with  my  helpless,  sinful  soul!)  But 
the  Lord  applied,  “Fear  not,  only  believe!” 
Satan  suggested,  “Take  care!  Suppose  Jesus 
Christ  should  fail  thee;  suppose  he  is  not  God! 
What  if  he  was  an  impostor,  as  the  Jews  be¬ 
lieve!”  0  the  agony  that  my  soul  felt  at  that 
moment!  But  I  cried,  “If  this  be  so,  I  am 
undone  without  remedy!  None  but  such  a 
Savior  as  Jesus  declares  himself  to  be — God 
as  well  as  man — can  save  my  guilty,  polluted 
soul.  The  blood  of  God-man  alone  can  atone 
for  me!  His  power  alone  can  change  my  rebel 
heart:  my  disease  is  too  deep  for  any  other;  I 
can  only  perish,  nothing  can  be  worse;  so 
there  is  no  hazard.  If  he  is  God,  he  is  able, 
and  he  will  save  me  according  to  his  promise, 
‘  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are 
heavy-laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest.’  If  he 
is  God,  he  must  be  truth,  and  can  not  deceive 
me.  And  if  not,  a  holy  God  will  be  a  con¬ 
suming  fire  to  the  sinner!  And  there  is  no 
Savior,  no  way  of  salvation;  I  must  endure 
the  desert  of  my  sins;  I  must  endure  everlast¬ 
ing  burnings;  and  therefore,  here  I  will  lie 


32 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


and  perish  at  his  feet!”  Again  it  came,  “  Only 
believe.”  “Lord  Jesus,”  said  I,  “I  will,  I 
do  believe;  I  now  venture  my  whole  salvation 
upon  thee  as  God!  I  put  my  guilty  soul  into 
thy  hands;  thy  blood  is  sufficient!  I  cast  my 
soul  upon  thee  for  time  and  eternity.”  Then 
did  he  appear  to  my  salvation.  In  that  mo¬ 
ment  my  fetters  were  broken;  my  bands  were 
loosed,  and  my  soul  set  a|  liberty.  The  love 
of  God  was  shed  abroad  in  my  heart,  and  I 
rejoiced  with  joy  unspeakable.  Now,  if  I  had 
possessed  ten  thousand  souls  I  could  have 
ventured  them  all  with  my  Jesus.  I  would 
have  given  them  all  to  him!  I  felt  a  thousand 
promises  all  my  own;  more  than  a  thousand 
Scriptures  to  confirm  my  evidence:  such  as, 
“He  that  belie veth  shall  be  saved:  shall  not 
perish:  is  not  condemned:  hath  everlasting 
life:  is  passed  from  death  unto  life:  shall  never 
die:  there  is  no  condemnation  to  them  that  are 
in  Christ  Jesus,”  etc.  I  could  now  call  Jesus 
Lord,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  Father,  my 
Father.  My  sins  were  gone,  my  soul  was 
happy;  and  I  longed  to  depart  and  be  with 
Jesus.  I  was  truly  a  new  creature,  and  seemed 
to  be  in  a  new  world!  I  could  do  nothing  but 
love  and  praise  my  God;  and  could  not  refrain 
continually  repeating,  Thou  art  my  Father! 
0  (jrod,  thou  art  my  God!  while  tears  of  joy 
ran  down  my  cheeks. 

My  mother  was  astonished  at  the  change 
which  appeared  in  my  countenance  and  whole 
deportment;  and  I  soon  told  her  the  happy 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  33 

cause:  that  I,  a  poor  sinner,  had  received  for¬ 
giveness,  and  could  call  God  my  Father  and 
my  Friend.  Now,  said  I,  I  am  repaid  a  thou¬ 
sand  times  for  all  I  have  suffered.  One  hour’s 
experience  of  what  I  now  feel,  is,  itself,  rich 
amends  for  all!  But  I  see  an  eternity  of  bliss 
before  me!  and  added,  0  that  you  knew  what 
I  feel!  My  words  and  flowing  tears  made  her 
weep:  but  she  said  little,  being  all  wonder 
With  what  joy  and  gratitude  did  I  now  un¬ 
dergo  the  most  servile  of  all  my  employments! 
yea,  and  it  seemed  with  double  strength  of 
body,  though  I  could  neither  eat  nor  sleep 
much  for  many  days  and  nights.  The  love  of 
God  sired  abroad  in  my  heart  was  now  my 
meat  and  drink:  and  the  thoughts  of  the 
amazing  depths  of  grace  which  had  plucked 
me  as  a  brand  from  the  burning  quite  over¬ 
came  me! — me,  the  most  obstinate  offender, 
who  had  so  long  and  so  repeatedly  resisted, 
and  grieved  his  Holy  Spirit!  This  love  of  my 
God  and  Savior,  so  unmerited  and  free,  over¬ 
flowed  my  soul:  nor  had  I  for  eight  months 
any  interruption  to  my  bliss. 

“Not  a  cloud  did  arise,  to  darken  my  skies, 

Or  hide  for  a  moment  my  Lord  from  my  eyes.” 

Yet  I  had  daily  crosses  to  take  up  and 
endure;  but  I  rejoiced  in  being  accounted 
worthy  to  bear  the  cross  for  Him  who  died  to 
purchase  my  peace.  The  word  of  God  was 
sweeter  than  honey,  or  the  honeycomb.  I  gen¬ 
erally  read  it  on  my  knees:  ever  receiving 
3 


34  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

light,  strength,  and  comfort  to  my  hungry  sot* 
hereby. 

About  six  months  after  this,  my  cousin 
Robert  Roe  came  from  Manchester,  to  go  to 
the  college  in  Oxford,  being  intended  for  a 
clergyman.  The  great  change  in  me  was  mat¬ 
ter  of  much  grief  to  him.  But  what  most 
astonished  him,  was  to  find  me,  instead  of 
melancholy  and  dejected,  always  happy  and 
rejoicing  in  God;  resigned  to  sufferings  and 
labors,  which  he  well  knew  I  could  not  once 
have  submitted  to.  He  saw  my  pride  laid  in 
the  dust;  and  my  soul  sunk  into  humility.  In 
short,  he  saw  me  the  reverse  of  all  I  had  been 
before;  and  comparing  my  present  conduct 
with  the  Scriptures,  he  was  constrained  to  own 
the  power  of  changing  grace:  was  convinced 
by  the  Spirit  of  God  that  I  was  right,  and  of 
consequence,  that  he  was  not  what  he  ought 
to  be,  and  what  he  must  be  if  ever  he  was 
saved.  He  soon  became  so  unhappy  that  he 
had  no  rest,  and  at  last  wrote  to  me,  entreat¬ 
ing,  for  his  soul’s  sake,  I  would  answer  him 
the  following  questions:  “How  did  you  obtain 
the  happiness  you  speak  of?  Are  you  certain 
it  is  real  and  from  God;  and  not  a  delusion, 
or  imagination  only?  Does  it  arise  from  an 
express  declaration  from  God;  or  a  con$pious- 
ness  of  having  performed  your  duty?  Is  it 
some  visible  manifestation  you  enjoy,  or  some 
hoped-for  happiness?  I  know  I  am  ja.  great 
sinner!  I  am  miserable  beyond  expression, 
and  can  hardly  hope  for  any  thing  but  misery 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


3  5 


in  time,  or  in  eternity!  I  would  give  up  all 
the  world  to  obtain  the  favor  of  God  you 
speak  of,  but  I  know  not  which  way  to  attain 
it.  If  you  can  lead  me  in  the  heavenly  path, 
you  will  render  me  happy  indeed.  0!  pray 
for  your  unhappy  friend,  etc.  It.  R.” 

These  lines  appearing  the  genuine  language 
of  sincerity,  I  wrote  immediately,  in  answer, 
a  brief  relation  of  all  the  Lord’s  dealings  with 
my  soul;  inviting  him  to  the  same  loving  and 
all-sufficient  Savior.  I  advised  him  to  hear 
the  Methodists,  and  go  to  class  meeting;  in 
which  he  found  much  comfort,  and  advanced 
in  grace  daily;  desiring  and  seeking  nothing 
but  Jesus  crucified.  And,  on  October  17, 
1775,  a  few  weeks  only  before  he  went  to 
Oxford,  the  Lord  set  his  soul  at  liberty:  and 
he  rejoiced  in  a  clear  sense  of  his  pardoning 
love.*  But  to  return. 

About  seven  months  after  I  undertook  to 
be  servant  to  my  mother,  she  was  seized  with 
a  fever,  and,  when  just  recovering,  had  a  re¬ 
lapse  which  threatened  to  be  fatal:  so  that  for 
nearly  six  weeks  I  had  to  sit  up  with  her  every 
other  night,  till  at  last  my  body  began  to  fail. 
Indeed  it  was  no  wonder;  for,  besides  all 
my  labor  and  fatigue,  I  used  rigorous  fast¬ 
ing.  The  doctor  who  attended  my  mother 
was  moved  with  compassion,  and  insisted  I 


*  The  feader  may  find  a  more  particular  account  of  the 
life,  trials,  experience,  and  triumphant  death  of  this  Is¬ 
raelite  indeed,  in  whom  was  no  guile,  in  the  Arminian 
Magazine  for  the  years  1783  and  1784,  vols.  vi,  vii. 


36 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


should  no  longer  go  on  with  what  he  called 
sacrificing  my  life.  He  spoke  to  Mrs.  Legh, 
my  godmother,  who  came  next  day  in  hei 
chariot  to  see  my  mother,  and  to  see  that  a 
proper  servant,  and  all  needful  attendants, 
should  be  procured  immediately.  I  was  now 
freed  from  my  happy  toil,  about  eight  months 
after  I  undertook  it;  namely,  in  August,  1775. 
But  it  was  then  nearly  too  late;  my  health  had 
received  such  a  wound,  as  it  did  not  recover 
in  many  years. 

Outward  opposition  now  began  to  abate, 
and  many  of  my  opposers  were  at  peace  with 
me.  And  now,  also,  the  Lord  Began  to  reveal 
in  my  heart  that  sin  was  not  all  destroyed;  for 
though  I  had  constant  victory  over  it,  yet  I 
felt  the  remains  of  anger,  pride,  self-will,  and 
unbelief  often  rising,  which  occasioned  a  de¬ 
gree  of  heaviness  and  sorrow.  At  first  I 
was  much  amazed  to  feel  such  things,  and 
often  tempted  to  think  I  had  lost  a  measure  of 
grace;  yet,  when  I  looked  to  my  Lord,  or 
whenever  I  approached  him  in  secret,  he  shed 
his  precious  love  abroad,  and  bore  witness  also 
with  my  spirit,  that  I  was  still  his  child.  Yea, 
and  at  this  time  I  received  many  remarkable 
answers  to  prayer,  many  proofs  of  his  un¬ 
doubted  love  and  goodness  to  my  soul;  and 
I  ever  felt  I  would  rather  die  than  offend 
him;  so  that  I  was  a  mystery  to  myself!  I 
resolved,  however,  to  use  more  self-denial  of 
all  kinds,  and,  whatever  it  cost  me  with  respect 
to  health  or  life,  more  fasting  and  prayer:  for 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


37 


(  hoped  by  these  means  to  mortify  and  starve 
die  evil  tempers  and  propensities  of  my  nature, 
dll  they  should  exist  no  more;  and  if  my  body 
expired  in  the  combat,  I  thought  I  was  certain 
nf  endless  life.  •  I  met  with  some  also  who  told 
me,  nothing  but  death  would  end  this  strife! 
that  this  is  the  Christian’s  warfare,  which  can 
not  end  but  with  the  life  of  the  body.  After 
some  time  I  began  to  believe  these  miserable 
comforters,  and,  of  consequence,  longed  for 
nothing  so  much  as  to  die;  yea,  I  was  impa¬ 
tient  4o  be  gone,  that  I  might  be  freed  from 
sin;  for  I  truly  felt,  and  more  so  every  day, 

41  ’Twas  worse  than  death  my  God  to  love, 

And  not  my  God  alone.” 

My  body  was  reduced  now  to  a  very  weak 
state,  and  I  was  pronounced  far  gone  in  a  con¬ 
sumption,  which  I  esteemed  blessed  tidings. 
I  looked  on  myself  as  one  that  had  done  with 
earth,  and  cried:  “0,  that  I  had  wings  like  a 
dove,  for  then  I  would  flee  away  and  be  at 
rest.”  Yea,  so  desirous  was  I  to  quit  the  vale 
of  sin,  as  I  called  it,  here  below,  that  I  could 
not  be  prevailed  on  to  take  any  thing  which  I 
believed  would  tend  to  restore  my  health,  and 
therefore  continued  to  decline  very  rapidly. 
In  the  latter  end  of  December  I  was  brought 
so  weak  that  I  could  not  walk  about  the  room 
without  help,  and  soon  after  took  my  bed, 
seeming  apparently  on  the  verge  of  eternity. 
One  day,  after  sitting  up  a  little,  I  felt  myself 
so  weak,  that  I  believed  I  should  rise  no  more. 


38  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

till  my  soul  took  its  flight  to*the  bosom  of 
Jesus.  My  joy  on  this  occasion  was  inex¬ 
pressible!  I  begged  of  the  Lord  strength  to 
go  on  my  knees  once  more;  and  in  holy  tri¬ 
umph  committed  body  and  soul  to  him  for 
eternity.  I  believed  my  work  on  earth  quite 
finished,  and  was  filled  with  assurance  that  the 
moment  of  death  would  be  to  me  the  begin¬ 
ning  of  endless  glory;  a  taste  of  which  I  then 
.felt,  a  drop  out  of  the  ocean;  a  beam  darted 
from  the  unclouded  Sun  of  righteousness, 
which  quite  penetrated  and  overwhelmed  my 
soul,  and  left  me  in  speechless  rapture  at  his 
feet!  Yes,  I  have  ever  believed  that  what  I 
then  felt  was  what  those  feel  and  experience 
on  leaving  the  body,  who  are  really  dying  in 
the  Lord!  But  infinite  Wisdom  saw  good  to 
lengthen  out  the  thread  of  life;  and  I  have 
often  believed  it  was  in  answer  to  the  prayers 
of  his  dear  children. 

A  few  weeks  after  this  I  felt  a  degree  of 
disappointment  and  sorrow,  on  finding  a  meas¬ 
ure  of  returning  strength:  just  like  a  mariner, 
who,  having  got  within  sight  of  a  desired  port, 
is  beaten  back  again  into  a  tempestuous  ocean. 
One  of  my  cousins  coming  to  see  me,  recom¬ 
mended  a  strengthening  medicine,  which  I  was 
unwilling  to  use,  and  told  him  I  would  rather 
die  than  live.  He  sharply  rebuked  me  for  this, 
saying:  You  set  up  your  own  will,  while  you 
pretend  to  submit  to  the  will  of  God,  and  by 
not  taking  proper  medicines  you  are  a  mur¬ 
derer!  I  wept  and  said,  I  think  I  am  resigned. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  39 

He  asked,  Are  you  willing  to  live  forty  years, 
if  the  Lord  please?  I  found  a  shrinking  at 
the  thought,  and  felt  I  could  not  at  that  mo¬ 
ment  say  I  was  willing.  He  left  me,  but  his 
words  made  a  deep  impression.  I  fell  on  my 
knees  as  soon  as  left  alone,  and  cried,  Lord, 
perfectly  subdue  my  will.  That  promise  was 
applied  with  much  sweetness,  “Ask  what  thou 
wilt  and  it  shall  be  done  unto  thee.”  I  felt 
assuredly,  my  Lord  permitted  me  to  ask  life  or 
death,  and  was  brought  to  a  stand.  I  felt  a 
thousand  fears  suggested,  that  if  I  lived,  I 
might  lose  what  I  now  enjoyed  of  the  love  of 
God,  and  perhaps  be  one  day  a  dishonor  to  his 
cause.  But  I  said,  Lord,  thy  grace  is  ever 
sufficient;  thou  art  as  able  to  keep  me  a  thou¬ 
sand  years  as  one  day!  Again  it  was  sug¬ 
gested,  if  thou  livest,  it  will  be  to  suffer.  I 
cried,  Lord,  thou  canst  give  me  suffering 
grace;  and  if  by  suffering  I  can  in  any  wise 
glorify  thee,  “not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt.” 
I  know  to  die  now  would  be  instant  glory! 
But  here  I  am;  do  with  me  whatever  thou 
wilt!  thou  knowest  all  things,  and  seest  at  one 
glance,  past,  present,  and  future.  One  request, 
only,  therefore,  will  I  make;  if  thou  knowest 
my  life  would  glorify  thee,  I  submit  to  thy 
will;  willing  to  suffer,  or  to  do!  But,  if  thou 
foreseest  I  should,  in  living,  lose  any  measure 
of  what  thou  hast  bestowed,  Lord,  suffer  me 
not  to  live  any  longer.  Or  if,  hereafter,  at  any 
time,  thou  seest  a  danger  of  my  heart  depart¬ 
ing  from  thee,  0  snatch  me  to  thy  bosom;  and 


40 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


let  me  not  live  a  moment  longer  than  I  live 
wholly  for  thee.  And  now,  0  Lord,  my  God, 
I  vow  and  promise  to  thee,  I  will  henceforth 
entirely  renounce  my  own  will  respecting  life 
or  death!  I  leave  it  fully  in  thy  hands  and  to 
thy  pleasure,  to  take  me  now,  or  to  spare  me 
twenty,  thirty,  yea,  forty  years;  or  as  long  as 
thou  seest  my  life  will  bring  glory  to  thee, 
and  profit  to  immortal  souls;  relying  on  thy 
faithful  promise  given  me  this  day,  that  what 
“I  ask  shall  be  done;”  and  accounting  it  a 
solemn  covenant  between  me  and  thee:  that 
whensoever  thou  seest  me  about  to  be  over¬ 
come  by  trials,  by  temptations,  or  snares,  so 
that  I  shall  in  heart  or  life  depart  from  thee,  or 
wound  thy  cause,  that  then  thou  wilt  put  in 
thy  sickle,  and  gather  me  home;  yea,  if  even 
at  that  time  I  should  be  so  foolish  as  to  de¬ 
sire  life !  Amen,  and  amen.  What  I  felt  of 
heaven,  of  God,  of  love,  at  that  season,  can 
not  be  expressed.  I  had  communion  with  my 
Lord,  as  if  face  to  face;  and  could  henceforth 
choose  nothing  but  his  will. 

From  this  day  forth  I  speedily  recovered 
strength,  and  in  a  few  weeks  was  enabled  to 
attend  some  of  the  means  of  grace.  The  Lord 
was  pleased  to  make  the  preaching  of  Dr. 
Wright  a  great  blessing  to  me.  He  clearly 
explained  the  nature  of  salvation  from  inbred 
sin;  showed  it  to  be  as  freely  promised  in 
Scripture,  and  as  fully  purchased  by  the  blood 
of  Jesus,  as  pardon.  Also,  that  though  sanc¬ 
tification  in  believers  is  a  gradual  work,  yet  the 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


41 


death  of  sin  is  instantaneous,  and  to  be  obtained 
by  faith  alone;  just  in  like  manner  as  justifi¬ 
cation.  He  recommended  Mr.  Wesley’s  Plain 
Account,  and  Farther  Thoughts  on  Christian 
Perfection;  and  Mr.  Fletcher’s  Polemical  Es¬ 
say,  especially  his  Address  in  the  end  of  it  to 
imperfect  believers.  These  yet  further  opened 
my  eyes  respecting  that  great  salvation;  and 
for  reading  them  I  shall  praise  God  to  all  eter¬ 
nity.  I  now  was  powerfully  convinced,  that 
whenever  sin  is  totally  destroyed,  ft  is  done  in 
a  moment.  From  hence  I  could  not  rest,  but 
cried  to  the  Lord  night  and  day,  to  cast  out 
the  strong  man,  and  all  his  armor  of  unbelief 
and  sin:  assured  that  the  power  of  the  living 
God,  and  not  death,  must  be  the  executioner; 
the  blood  of  Jesus  the  procuring  cause;  and 
faith  the  only  instrument.  I  had  a  deeper 
sense  of  my  impurity  than  ever;  and  though  by 
grace  I  was  restrained  from  giving  way  out¬ 
wardly,  yet  I  felt  such  inward  impatience, 
pride,  fretfulness,  and,  in  short,  every  ill  tem¬ 
per,  that  at  times  I  could  truly  say,  I  was 
weary  and  heavy-laden. 

I  here  transcribe  a  brief  extract  from  my 
journal,  kept  at  the  time,  as  it  will  most  clearly 
describe  the  language  of  my  heart. 

Thursday,  January  18,  1776,  I  was  much 
comforted  by  a  manifest  answer  to  prayer. 
Afterward,  reading  three  of  Mr.  Fletcher’s 
Letters  to  his  Parishioners  was  a  great  blessing. 
Yet  in  the  evening  I  found  many  wanderings, 
and  much  deadness;  I  felt  dissatisfied  with 


42  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

myself,  and  all  around  me,  and  knew  not  why. 
It  might  in  some  measure  be  owing  to  the  in¬ 
disposition  of  my  body,  but  I  fear  it  was  more 
owing  to  the  evil  of  my  corrupt  heart.  0, 
when  shall  I  be  holy? 

Friday,  19. — I  have  been  greatly  tried  in¬ 
wardly  and  outwardly,  though  I  have  had 
some  refreshing  visits  of  love;  but  I  feel  many 
evil  tempers,  much  self-will  that  would  not  be 
contradicted,  though  none  saw  it  but  the  Lord; 
peevishness,  pride,  and  unbelief  greatly  dis¬ 
tressed  me.  My  cry  was  this  evening,  “  Create 
in  me  a  clean  heart,  0  God,  and  renew  a  right 
spirit  within  me.”  And  in  private  prayer  I 
was  blessed  in  a  wonderful  manner.  I  lay  at 
the  feet  of  my  Lord,  as  clay  in  the  hands  of 
the  potter,  only  beseeching  him  to  stamp  me 
with  his  lovely  image. 

Thursday,  25. — The  Lord  shows  me  more 
than  ever,  I  must  be  made  holy  before  death: 
and  this  day  I  can  say,  “As  the  hart  panteth 
after  the  water  brook,”  so  thirsteth  my  soul 
for  the  perfect  love  of  God.  0,  may  I  never 
rest  till  I  have  received  this  blessing!  Lord, 
I  have  in  this  respect  been  a  trifler;  I  have 
been  too  easy,  too  lukewarm,  while  thy  ene¬ 
mies  have  had  a  lurking  place  in  my  heart! 
0,  forgive  me,  and  help  me  to  be  more  in  earn¬ 
est!  Those  words  were  applied,  while  en¬ 
gaged  in  wrestling  prayer,  “All  I  have  is 
thine!”  And  is  not  this  salvation  from  sin  His 
gift?  It  is,  and  shall  be  mine. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


43 


“O,  joyful  sound  of  Gospel  grace, 

Christ  shall  in  me  appear; 

I,  even  I,  shall  see  his  face, 

I  shall  be  holy  here.” 

Saturday,  27. — Mr.  Wesley’s  Plain  Account 
of  Christian  Perfection  was  this  day  a  greater 
blessing  than  before:  0,  how  very  ignorant, 
how  stupid  have  I  been,  respecting  this  great 
salvation;  and  even  yet  I  seem  to  know  nothing. 
Lord,  teach  me,  and  save  me  fully.  I  find, 
while  pressing  after  entire  purity,  my  commun¬ 
ion  with  God  increases,  and  I  have  more  power 
to  do  his  will.  Friday,  February  2. — I  awoke 
several  times  in  the  night,  praying  for  sancti¬ 
fication.  0,  the  depth  of  unbelief  and  of 
pride!  And  these  seem  only  the  roots  of  many 
other  evil  branches.  0,  my  God,  I  feel  my 
heart  as  a  den  of  thieves!  I  loathe  myself, 
but  O,  I  fall — a  leper  at  thy  feet.  I  believe 
‘‘the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all 
sin.”  But  when  I  would  come  to  the  foun¬ 
tain,  I  seem  all  ignorance  and  helplessness. 
O  Lord,  teach  and  strengthen  me,  for  thy 
mercies’  sake! 

Saturday,  3. — I  have  had  deep  communion 
with  my  God,  and  much  power  at  a  throne  of 
grace.  I  have  a  clear  evidence  of  his  pardon¬ 
ing  love,  and  want  nothing  but  his  whole  im¬ 
age  stamped  on  my  heart. 

Thursday,  8. — I  was  greatly  comforted  this 
morning  in  spreading  open  the  word  of  God 
on  my  knees,  and  praying  for  a  conformity  to 
it.  I  opened  on  1  Thess.  v,  16-ult.  I  see 


44 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


what  is  there  required,  in  the  very  salvation 
my  soul  needs.  0  how  is  it  summed  up  in 
that  prayer  of  the  apostle:  “Now  the  very 
God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly:  and  I  pray 
God  your  whole  spirit,  and  soul,  and  body,  be 
preserved  blameless  unto  the  coming  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.”  And  would  St.  Paul  pray 
for  what  they  could  not  obtain?  0,  no!  he 
believed  that  they  should  be  both  sanctified 
and  preserved  blameless;  for  he  says,  “Faith¬ 
ful  is  he  who  hath  called  you,  and  who  also 
will  do  it.”  Amen,  Lord!  Let  me,  thy 
worthless  creature,  prove  the  truth  of  this  word 
for  Jesus’  sake. 

On  the  morning  of  February  22d,  I  awoke 
poorly  in  body,  and  felt  a  strange  hardness  on 
my  heart,  and  a  great  backwardness  to  private 
prayer.  Satan  told  me  if  I  prayed  it  would 
be  only  solemn  mockery;  for  my  body  would 
so  weigh  down  my  soul,  that,  while  my  words 
flew  up,  my  thoughts  would  remain  below,  and 
I  should  obtain  no  blessing.  But  I  cried, 
“Lord,  help  me,”  and  fell  instantly  on  my 
knees;  for  a  few  moments  my  ideas  were  all 
distraction;  but  the  mighty  God  spoke  to  the 
troubled  ocean,  “Peace,  be  still!”  and  there 
followed  a  great  calm  throughout  my  soul. 
My  intercourse  was  now  opened  with  my  be¬ 
loved,  and  various  promises  presented  to  my 
believing  view.  I  thought,  Shall  I  now  ask 
small  blessings  only  of  my  God?  Lord,  cried 
I,  make  this  the  moment  of  my  full  salvation! 
Baptize  me  now  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


45 


fire  of  pure  love.  Now  “make  me  a  clean 
heart,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me.” 
Now  enter  thy  temple,  and  cast  out  sin  forever. 
Now  cleanse  the  thoughts,  desires,  and  pro¬ 
pensities  of  my  heart,  and  let  me  perfectly 
love  thee.  But  here  Satan  raised  all  his  force 
of  temptations  to  oppose  me;  suggesting  to  me, 
I  had  not  been  long  enough  justified;  I  had 
more  to  suffer  first,  etc.  And  my  views  not 
being  yet  clear  in  the  nature  of  this  blessing, 
gave  the  enemy  an  advantage.  For  I  thought 
when  fully  saved  from  sin,  I  could  suffer  no 
more;  feel  no  more  pain;  make  no  more  mis¬ 
takes;  my  judgment  and  memory  would  be 
perfect,  and  I  should  feel  temptation  no  more! 
Therefore  this  suggestion,  that  I  had  to  suffer 
much  first,  had  the  more  plausibility.  But  in 
that  moment  I  received  light  from  above,  and 
cried,  “Lord,  till  my  heart  is  renewed,  I  can 
not  suffer  as  I  ought:  give  me  perfect  love, 
and  I  can  then  bear  all  things!”  “But,”  said 
Satan,  “if  this  blessing  were  given,  thou 
wouldst  soon  lose,  it  again,  in  such  and  such 
trials  which  lie  before  thee:  get  past  those  trials 
first,  and  then  come  for  this  blessing.”  But  I 
cried,  “Lord,  I  can  not  stand  those  trials  with¬ 
out  it.  0,  purify  my  heart,  that  I  may  be  able 
to  stand  in  the  trying  hour!  If  I  face  my 
subtile  enemies,  while  I  have  a  traitor  within, 
ever  ready  to  betray  me  into  their  hands,  how 
shall  I  be  able  to  stand?”  But  if  that  “strong 
man  armed,  be  cast  out  with  all  his  armor,” 
how  much  more  able  shall  I  be  to  contend 


46 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


with  my  outward  enemies?  Many  other  tempt¬ 
ations  were  presented:  but  I  cried  so  much  the 
more,  ‘‘Lord,  save  me!”  And  the  Lord  gave 
me  that  promise,  “I  will  circumcise  thy  heart, 
and  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,”  etc.  I  said,  “Lord,  thou  art  faith¬ 
ful,  and  this  is  thy  word;  I  cast  my  whole  souj 
upon  thy  promise:  make  known  thy  faithful¬ 
ness,  by  performing  it  on  my  heart.  Circum¬ 
cise  it  now,  fill  it  now  with  thy  pure  love; 
sanctify  every  faculty  of  my  soul;  I  cJei  ail  to 
thee,  I  give  thee  all  my  powers,  I  cake  t^ee, 
almighty  Jesus,  for  my  wisdom,  my  righteous¬ 
ness,  my  sanctficatiion.”  Now  ‘  cleanse  me 
from  all  my  filthiness  and  from  ail  my  idols, 
take  away  the  heart  of  stone,  a*  «i  give  me  a 
heart  of  flesh.”  I  come  empt)  to  be  filled, 
deny  me  not.  It  would  be  for  /iiy  own  glory 
to  save  me  now;  for  how  much  oetter  could  I 
serve  thee!  It  is  true,  I  have  ,.o  plea  but  thy 
mercy!  the  blood  of  Jesus,  ti  y  promise,  and 
my  own  great  need.  0  save  me  fully,  by  an 
act  of  free  grace!  Thou  has  ,  said,  “He  that 
belie veth  shall  be  saved:”  I  .iow  take  thee  at 
thy  word:  I  do  by  faith  ca&  *j  myself  on  thy 
promise.  I  venture  my  soul  on  thy  veracity; 
thou  canst  not  deny!  Being  >  urchased  by  thy 
blood,  thy  justice  is  engaged,  being  promised 
without  money  and  without  p  rice,  thy  truth  is 
bound:  thus  every  attribute  o*  my  God  secures 
it  to  me. 

Ah!  why  did  I  ever  doubt  his  willingness, 
when  he  gave  Jesus!  Gave  him  to  “destroy 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  47 

the  works  of  the  devil — to  make  an  end  of 
sin!”  The  hinderance  was  in  me,  not  him. 
He  desired  to  make  me  holy,  but  unbelief  hid 
it  from  my  eyes;  accursed  sin!  But  now, 
Lord,  I  do  believe;  this  moment  thou  dost 
save.  Yea,  Lord,  my  soul  is  delivered  of  her 
burden.  I  am  emptied  of  all;  I  am  at  thy 
feet,  a  helpless,  worthless  worm:  but  I  take 
hold  of  thee  as  my  fullness!  Every  thing  that 
I  want,  thou  art.  Thou  art  wisdom,  strength, 
love,  and  holiness:  yes,  and  thou  art  mine!  I 
am  conquered  and  subdued  by  love.  Thy 
love  sinks  me  into  nothing;  it  overflows  my 
soul.  0,  my  Jesus,  thou  art  all  in  all!  In 
thee  I  behold  and  feel  all  the  fullness  of  the 
Godhead  mine.  I  am  now  one  with  God;  the 
intercourse  is  open;  sin,  inbred  sin,  no  longer 
hinders  the  close  communion,  and  God  is  all 
my  own! 

0  the  depth  of  solid  peace  my  soul  now  felt! 
But  not  so  much  rapturous  joy  as  at  justifica¬ 
tion.  It  was 

“The  sacred  awe,  which  dares  not  move; 

And  all  the  silent  heaven  of  love!” 

Yet  when  I  rose  from  my  knees,  Satan  once 
more  assaulted  me  with,  “Thou  art  going  to 
face  various  trials,  and  a  frowning  world;  thou 
wilt  soon  lose  this  blessing.”  But  instantly 
that  Scripture  was  given  me,  “He  that  keepeth 
Israel  neither  slumbereth  nor  sleepeth:  the 
Lord  himself  is  thy  keeper!  It  is  even  he  that 
shall  preserve  thy  soul:  the  Lord  shall  preserve 
thy  going  out  and  thy  coming  in,  from  this  time 


48 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


forth  and  for  evermore.”  “Lord,”  said  I,  “I 
feel  my  own  insufficiency;  I  can  do  nothing; 
I  can  resist  nothing;  but  I  commit  the  pow¬ 
ers  of  my  soul,  the  avenues  of  my  heart,  to 
thy  keeping.”  Again  he  graciously  applied, 
“Blessed  is  she  that  believed;  for  there  shall 
be  a  performance  of  those  things  which  were 
told  her  from  the  Lord.”  “My  God,”  said  I, 
“it  is  enough!  My  soul  does  trust  thee,  and 
I  will  praise  thee.” 

I  now  walked  in  the  unclouded  light  of  his 
countenance;  “rejoicing  evermore,  praying 
without  ceasing,  and  in  every  thing  giving 
thanks.”  I  resolved,  however,  at  first,  I  would 
not  openly  declare  what  the  Lord  had  wrought; 
but  it  was  seen  in  my  countenance;  and  when 
asked  respecting  it,  I  durst  not  deny  the  won¬ 
ders  of  his  love!  I  soon  found  that  repeating 
his  goodness  confirmed  my  own  faith  more  and 
more.  And  so  did  the  Lord  bless  me  in  de¬ 
claring  it — yea,  and  blessed  others  also — that 
I  was  constrained  to  witness  to  all  who  feared 
him: 

“His  blood  can  make  the  foulest  clean: 

His  blood  avail’d  for  me.” 

I  dared  not  to  live  above  a  moment  at  a 
time;  and  that  moment  by  faith  in  the  Son  of 
God.  I  never  felt  till  now  tbge  full  meaning  of 
those  words:  “In  him  we  live,  and  move,  and 
have  our  being.”  And  again,  “I  will  dwell 
in  them,  and  walk  in  them,  and  be  their  God: 
I  will  put  my  laws  into  their  minds,  and  write 
them  in  their  hearts.”  Glory  be  to  my  God, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  49 

I  felt  it  written  there:  it  was  no  longer  I  that 
lived,  but  Christ  that  lived  in  me! 

“Yea,  Christ  was  all  in  all  to  me; 

And  all  my  heart  was  love.” 

Friday,  23. — Glory,  honor,  and  eternal 
praise  be  to  the  God  of  love,  forever  and  ever! 
His  own  arm  hath  brought  salvation  to  my 
feeble,  helpless  soul.  I  am  now  wholly  his! 
I  do  love  the  Lord  my  God  with  all  my  heart, 
and  soul,  and  strength.  I  am  nothing,  and 
Jesus  is  my  all.  The  enemy  often  suggests, 
“Thou  wilt  soon  lose  the  blessing:  thou  canst 
not  Stand  long.’’  But  my  heart  answers,  I 
will  hang  upon,  and  trust  my  God,  as  long  as 
I  have  any  being;  and  I  know  he  will  supply 
a  feeble  worm  with  power!  I  have  also  opened 
on  many  sweet  promises  to-day.  I  find  mo¬ 
mentarily  power  now  to  pray  and  believe:  yea, 
I  live  by  faith! 

Saturday,  24. — Last  night  and  this  morning 
I  had  deep  communion  with  my  God.  I  feel 
I  am  indeed  one  with  Christ,  and  Christ  is  one 
with  me:  I  dwell  in  Christ,  and  Christ  in  me. 
O  blessed  union  with  him  my  soul  loveth! 
And  the  more  I  feel  of  his  great  love,  the 
more  I  sink  at  his  feet  in  humbling  views  of 
my  own  nothingness;  and  here  it  is  I  would 
ever  lie;  this  is  my  own  place:  Jesus  alone  is 
exalted;  and  I,  a  poor  sinner,  saved  from  sin! 

Sunday,  25. — Glory  be  to  God  for  the  best 
Sabbath  I  ever  knew!  My  body  was  so  very 
weak  and  poorly,  I  could  not  go  to  preaching; 
but  the  Lord  was  with  me,  and  gave  me  fresh 
4 


50 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

discoveries  of  my  own  emptiness  and  poverty, 
and  of  his  abundant  fullness.  Those  words 
were  also  powerfully  applied,  “Now  ye  are 
clean  through  the  words  which  I  have  spoken 
unto  you:  abide  in  me  and  I  in  you:  as  the 
branch  can  not  bear  fruit  of  itself  except  it 
abide  in  the  vine,  no  more  can  ye,  except  ye 
abide  in  me.”  I  also  feel  that  gracious  promise 
mine:  “If  ye  abide  in  me,  and  my  words  abide 
in  you,  ye  shall  ask  what  ye  will,  and  it  shall 
be  done  unto  you.”  0  the  condescension  of 
God  to  a  poor  worm!  What  a  grant  is  this! 
My  soul  draws  near  and  humbly  asks, 

“Enlarge  my  faith’s  capacity. 

Wider  and  yet  wider  still; 

Then  with  all  that  is  in  thee 
My  soul  forever  fill.” 

Thursday,  29. — I  was  so  happy  that  I  could 
not  sleep  in  the  night.  0  what  deep  com¬ 
munion  did  my  soul  enjoy  with  God!  It  was, 
indeed,  a  foretaste  of  heaven  itself.  ,  This 
morning  I  prayed  for  a  portion  of  Scripture  to 
be  impressed  on  my  heart,  that  should  abide 
with,  comfort,  and  direct  me  all  the  day,  and 
I  opened  on,  “Know  ye  not  that  your  bodies 
are  the  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is 
in  you?  and  ye  are  not  your  own,  for  ye  are 
bought  with  a  price;  therefore  glorify  God 
with  your  body,  and  with  your  spirit,  which 
are  God's.”  Sweet  portion!  0  my  blessed 
Lord,  I  rejoice  that  I  am  thy  purchased  prop¬ 
erty,  and  not  my  own;  and  to  thee  I  gladly 
yield  body,  soul,  and  spirit. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


51 


March  5. — For  some  days  it  has  been  a  sea¬ 
son  of  outward  trials  with  me;  but  I  have  en¬ 
joyed  fellowship  with  God,  and  great  inward 
comforts.  I  have  ever  found,  when  he  gives 
peculiar  grace,  he  permits  it  to  be  tried;  bq.t  I 
prove  “as  my  day  is,  so  is  my  strength.” 
Yes,  glory  to  his  name  alone,  I  am  more  than 
conqueror!  and  feel  it  the  constant  language 
of  my  heart, 

“No  cross,  no  suffering  I  decline, 

Only  let  all  my  heart  be  thine.” 

Sunday,  10. — Mr.  Simpson  preached  from 
“The  kingdom  of  God  is  not  meat  and  drink; 
but  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost.”  0  the  blessedness  of  this  in¬ 
ward  kingdom!  With  streaming  eyes,  and 
heart  overflowing  with  love,  I  could  claim  this 
portion  mine;  mine  in  possession,  and  mine 
forever!  0  Lord,  how  shall  I  praise  thee! 

“Nothing  else  will  I  know,  in  my  journey  below, 

But  singing  thy  grace,  to  thy  paradise  go!” 

Thursday,  28. — After  a  blessed  season  of 
communion  with  God,  in  secret  prayer  this 
morning,  I  went  with  my  mother  to  spend  the 
day  at  Adlington.  Everything  I  saw  there, 
in  house  or  garden,  contributed  to  fill  my 
happy  soul  with  praise.  In  such  and  such  a 
spot,  I  would  say  to  myself,  have  I  poured  out 
my  soul  in  deep  distress  to  the  Lord;  and 
in  such  a  place  he  darted  a  ray  of  comfort, 
and  bade  me  go  forward.  0  my  Lord,  what 
hast  thou  done  for  a  worthless  worm,  since 


52  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

these  seasons  of  weeping  penitence!  Then  I 
sowed  in  tears,  but  now  I  reap  in  joy.  “0 
what  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his 
benefits!”  I  have  nothing.  My  all  is  thine 
already.  A  poor  offering.  But, 

“Poor  as  it  is,  ’tis  all  my  store; 

More  thou  shouldst  have,  if  I  had  more.” 

Some  time  after  this,  I  called  upon  Sarah 
Oldham,  and  found  her  just  on  the  borders  of 
Canaan.  It  was  animating  to  be  near  her! 
She  requested  us  to  sing, 

“Gladly  would  I  flee  away; 

Loose  from  earth,  no  longer  stay,”  etc. 

When  we  ceased,  she  cried,  “  0  sweet!  0  com¬ 
fortable!  I  thank  you.”  I  asked  her,  “Have 
you  any  doubts  or  fears  of  landing  safe?” 
She  said,  “0  no!  not  one  doubt.”  I  asked 
her  a  few  other  questions,  which  she  answered 
to  my  great  satisfaction.  Two  days  after 
this,  clapping  her  hands  together  in  an  ecstasy 
of  joy,  she  took  her  flight  to  glory!  Her  last 
words  were,  “My  Lord  and  my  God.” 

On  Monday,  April  1st,  Mr.  Wesley  came  to 
Macclesfield,  and  I  saw  and  conversed  with 
him  for  the  first  time.  He  behaved  to  me  with 
parental  tenderness,  and  greatly  rejoiced  in 
the  Lord’s  goodness  to  my  soul;  encouraged 
me  to  hold  fast,  and  to  declare  what  the  Lord 
had  wrought.  On  Wednesday  morning  he  set 
off  for  Manchester.  He  thinks  me  consump¬ 
tive;  but  welcome  life,  or  welcome  death,  for 
Christ  is  mine. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


53 


Tuesday,  June  4. — I  find  great  weakness  of 
body,  but  much  of  the  Divine  presence,  and 
resigned  longings  for  immortality.  I  was  at 
five  o’clock  preaching  this  morning,  and  there 
the  Lord  shed  his  love  abroad,  and  all  day  I 
have  had  such  a  solemn  nearness  to  him,  as  I 
can  not  describe.  I  called  on  one  who,  in  the 
arms  of  death,  is  rejoicing  in  redeeming  love. 
Her  Avill  perfectly  resigned,  and  her  evidence 
clear  for  a  glorious  eternity.  What  a  sight! 
O  Jesus,  this  is  thy  victory!  0  Satan,  how 
art  thou  conquered! 

Tuesday,  July  6. — My  weakness  of  body 
seems  to  increase;  and  so  does  my  union  with 
Him  my  soul  loveth.  I  was  so  happy  in  the 
night,  that  I  had  little  sleep,  and  awoke  several 
times,  with  those  words  deeply  impressed, 
“  The  temple  of  an  indwelling  God.”  His  love 
humbles  me  in  the  dust;  it  seems  as  a  mirror 
to  discover  my  nothingness.  Sometimes  my 
weakness  of  body  seems  quite  overpowered 
with  the  Lord’s  presence  manifested  to  my 
soul:  and  I  have  thought  I  could  bear  no  more 
and  live.  But  then  I  eagerly  cry,  “  0  give  me 
more  and  let  me  die!  I  long  to  be  freed  from 
earth;  but  I  am  resigned  to  live  and  suffer 
here.”  I  found  the  following  lines,  which  I 
received  with  some  others,  very  reviving: 

“My  Dear  Sister, — I  fear  I  shall  hardly 
see  you  again  till  we  meet  in  paradise.  But 
if  you  should  gradually  decay,  if  you  be  sensi¬ 
ble  of  the  hour  approaching  when  your  spirit 
is  to  return  to  God,  I  should  be  glad  to  have 


64  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

notice  of  it.  It  is  a  comfort;  to  die  is  not  to 
be  lost! 

‘To  earth-born  pain  superior  you  shall  rise 

Through  the  wide  waves  of  unopposing  skies; 

When  summon’d  hence,  ascend  heaven’s  high  abode, 

Converse  with  angels,  and  rejoice  in  God.’ 

Tell  me,  bow  far  does  the  corruptible  and  de¬ 
caying  body  press  down  tbe  soul?  Your  dis¬ 
order  naturally  sinks  the  spirits,  and  occasions 
heaviness  and  dejection.  Can  you,  notwith¬ 
standing  this,  rejoice  evermore?  I  shall  be 
glad  to  know  if  you  experience  something 
similar  to  what  Mr.  De  Renty  expresses  in 
those  strong  words:  ‘I  bear  about  with  me  an 
experimental  verity,  and  a  plenitude  of  the 
presence  of  the  ever  blessed  Trinity?’  Do  you 
commune  with  God  in  the  night  season?  Does 
he  bid  you  even  in  sleep  go  on?  And  does  he 
make  your  very  dreams  devout?  That  he  may 
fill  you  with  all  his  fullness,  is  the  constant 
wish  of,”  etc. 

I  praise  my  God,  who  enables  me,  in  a  de¬ 
gree,  to  understand  the  above,  and  to  answer 
those  deep  questions  in  the  affirmative. 

Wednesday,  September  11. — This  day  I 
have  had  much  pain  and  weakness  of  body, 
but  my  peace  has  been  as  a  river:  0  that  my 
righteousness  may  be  as  the  waves  of  the  sea! 
My  uncle  hath  disowned  my  three  cousins 
on  account  of  hearing  the  Methodists.  My 
cousins  R.  and  J.  are  steadfast  and  more  happy 
in  God  than  ever.  Poor  C.  has  given  up  Christ 
for  the  world,  and  is,  therefore,  restored  to  th» 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  55 

favor  of  his  earthly  parent.  But  0!  how  will 
he  appear  when  earth  and  heaven  shall  flee 
away!  Lord,  make  it  a  warning*  to  me,  that 
I  may  watch  and  pray,  and  implore  help 
every  moment. 

Sunday,  22. — As  I  returned  from  preach¬ 
ing,  I  called  on  Mary  Etchels,  who  is  in  the 
last  stage  of  a  dropsy,  just  ready  to  wing 
her  way  to  eternal  glory.  She  has  been  a 
backslider  in  heart  for  some  years;  but  in  her 
long  affliction  has  returned  to  the  Lord,  with 
weeping,  mourning,  and  supplication.  Nor 
did  she  weep  in  vain;  the  Lord  hearkened, 
and  spoke  peace  to  her  soul  some  weeks  since; 
and  this  day  she  told  me  she  has  received  the 
witness  of  being  cleansed  from  all  sin,  so  that 
now  she  is  full  of  love  and  joy.  Her  cry  is, 
“0  how  I  long  to  be  with  Jesus!  Why  are 
his  chariot  wheels  so  long  in  coming?  O  for 
patience  till  my  Jesus  comes!”  She  took  hold 
of  my  hand  after  I  had  prayed  with  her,  and 
said,  “0  what  precious  sights  do  I  see!  such 
glory,  such  glory,  I  can  not  utter  it!”  Soon 
after  her  happy  spirit  fled  to  its  eternal  rest. 

Monday,  October  14. — In  the  night — for  I 
could  not  sleep — it  was  a  convenient  season 
between  God  and  my  happy  soul.  And  I 
since  find  the  bonds  of  divine  union  more 
strong  than  ever.  This  has  been  a  blessed 
day!  His  work,  his  ways,  his  word,  are  my 
delight.  I  live  by  faith;  and  all  hard  things 
are  become  easy.  I  can  praise  him  in  every 
conflict;  but  I  feel  I  could  bear  nothing,  could 


56  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

do  nothing',  'without  Jesus.  All  my  depend 
ence  is  on  Him  who  supplies  the  power  I  want 
every  moment;  and  I  can  truly  say, 

“With  every  coming  hour  I  prove, 

His  nature,  and  his  name  is  love.” 

Tuesday,  16. — I  am  still  kept  in  various 
trials.  This  day  the  following  letter  was 
sent,  as  if  of  God,  to  strengthen  me: 

“My  Dear  Sister, — The  trials  which  a 
gracious  Providence  sends,  or  permits,  may 
be  so  many  means  of  growing  in  grace;  and 
particularly  of  increasing  in  faith,  patience, 
and  resignation.  And  are  they  not  all  chosen 
for  us  by  infinite  Wisdom  and  Goodness?  So 
that  we  may  well  subscribe  to  those  beautiful 
lines: 

‘With  patient  mind  thy  course  of  duty  run; 

God  nothing  does  or  suffers  to  be  done 

But  thou  wouldst  do  thyself,  if  thou  couldst  see 

The  end  of  all  events  as  well  as  he.’ 

Every  thing  we  can  do  for  a  parent,  we  out?  at; 
that  is,  every  thing  we  can  do  without  kilhng 
ourselves;  but  this  we  have  no  right  to  do: 
our  lives  are  not  at  our  own  disposal,  ite- 
member  this,  and  do  not  carry  a  good  prin¬ 
ciple  too  far.  Do  you  still  find, 

‘Labor  is  rest,  and  pain  is  sweet. 

When  thou  my  God  art  here'?’ 

I  know  pain  or  grief  does  not  interrupt  your 
happiness;  but  does  it  not  lessen  it?  You 
often  feel  sorrow  for  your  friends:  does  that 
sorrow  rather  quicken  than  depress  your  soul? 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  57 

Does  it  sink  you  deeper  into  God?  Go  on  in 
the  strength  of  the  Lord.  Be  careful  for 
nothing.  Live  to-day.  So  will  you  still  be 
a  comfort  to  yours  affectionately.” 

Friday,  November  8. — My  body  is  very 
weak;  but  when  my  strength  and  my  heart 
fail,  I  feel  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart, 
and  my  portion  forever.  Reading  a  portion 
of  Scripture  with  prayer  every  day  is,  and 
has  been,  a  great  blessing  to  my  soul.  Often 
have  I  found,  through  this  means,  direction  in 
difficulties,  comfort  in  trials,  and  heavenly 
teachings  in  the  way  to  glory.  And  the 
Scriptures  I  so  read  are  impressed  with  such 
divine  unction  on  my  heart,  as  makes  them 
lasting  food  and  nourishment  to  my  soul. 

February  12,  1777. — Every  day  I  experi¬ 
ence  more  fully  that  God  is  love,  and  his 
service  perfect  freedom.  What  solid  bliss  is 
it  to  be  delivered  from  all  dependence  on 
creatures,  and  to  hang  by  faith  upon  the 
immutable  God!  To  know  this  God  is  mine; 
to  feel  he  dwelleth  in  my  heart,  rulcth  my 
will,  my  affections,  my  tempers,  my  desires; 
to  know  he  loveth  me  ten  thousand  times  bet¬ 
ter  than  I  love  him!  0  it  is  unspeakable 
salvation! 

February  22. — One  year  this  day  I  have 
been  wholly  the  Lord’s;  and  he  has  kept  sole 
possession  of  my  willing  heart.  Yes,  thou 
hast  been  my  strength,  my  refuge,  my  guide^ 
and  my  merciful  God:  my  portion,  my  treas¬ 
ure,  and  my  whole  delight.  One  year  I  have 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


id  thee  with  all  my  heart,  and  thou  hast 
rned  without  a  rival.  And  now,  0  my 
^ .  ther,  Savior,  Comforter,  I  give  myself 
afresh  to  thee. 

“Take  my  soul  and  body’s  powers, 

Take  my  memory,  mind,  and  will; 

All  my  goods,  and  all  my  hours, 

All  1  know,  and  all  I  feel: 

Thine  while  I  live,  thrice  happy  I, 

Happier  still,  if  thine  I  die.” 

On  September  14,  1778,  there  was  a  very 
awful  earthquake.  The  new  church  in  Mac¬ 
clesfield — where  I  then  was^ — rocked  like  a 
cradle,  and  nearly  threw  some  of  the  people, 
then  kneeling,  on  their  faces.  And  the  noise, 
for  a  few  moments,  was  like  thunder.  The 
scene  that  ensued  was  truly  an  emblem  of 
that  day,  “when  all  faces  shall  gather  pale¬ 
ness;  and  many  shall  cry  to  the  rocks  and 
mountains,  Fall  on  us,”  etc.  Some  believed 
that  the  church  was  falling  at  the  steeple  end; 
and,  therefore,  flew  in  crowds  to  the  opposite 
doors,  shrieking  and  crying  for  mercy.  Some 
fainted,  and  were  trampled  nearly  to  death; 
others  much  bruised;  and  some  did  not  recover 
the  fright.  But  0,  unspeakable  grace!  my  soul 
was  kept  calm,  for  I  feared  not  to  die.  That 
Scripture  was  brought  to  my  mind:  “Yet  once 
more,  and  I  shake  not  the  earth  only,  but  also 
heaven.”  And  I  was  enabled  to  exhort  those 
around  to  be  still,  and  look  to  the  God  of 
grace  for  salvation,  which  they  had  too  long 
neglected.  Many  were  deeply  awakened  by 
this  awful  providence;  and  never  found  rest 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


59 


afterward,  till  they  found  it  in  the  pardoning 
love  of  a  blessed  Redeemer.  And  some  who 
may  date  their  conversion  from  that  day,  will, 
I  believe,  be  eternal  monuments  of  grace. 

Many  are  my  symptoms  of  mortality;  but 
God  is  love,  and  bears  my  happy  soul  far 
above 

“All  sin,  and  temptation,  and  pain.” 

I  long  for  his  leave  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ;  but  wait  in  humble  resignation  at  his 
feet,  till  all  his  will  be  done. 

Though  much  indisposed,  I  went  to  Church; 
and  there,  in  partaking  of  the  blessed  sacra¬ 
ment,  I  had  such  union  and  intercourse  with 
the  Holy  Trinity,  as  is  unspeakable!  blessed 
foretaste  of  drinking  the  new  wine  in  my  Fa¬ 
ther’s  kingdom.  Yes,  these  are  the  streams, 
but  that  is  the  fountain. 

Friday,  June  13,  1780. — I  have  been  closely 
tried  for  a  few  days  past,  by  near  and  dear 
relatives;  but  in  God  I  have  deep  peace,  and 
can  say,  “All  his  will  is  welcome,  all  pain 
before  his  presence  flies  I  Compared  with  his 
love,  how  trifling  is  all  I  suffer!  Am  I  not  a 
brand  plucked  from  eternal  burnings!  and  the 
few  moments  of  my  existence  here  are  all  the 
moments  of  suffering  I  shall  ever  know!  yea, 
and  these  light  afflictions,  even  as  I  pass 
through  them,  are  working  out  for  me  ‘a  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory.’  ” 
Monday,  December  18. — I  had  a  day  of 
many  blessings  in  visiting  the  sick.  I  called 


60  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

at  John  Barber’s,  and  found  his  wife’s  mother 
dangerously  ill.  This  poor  old  Pharisee,  now 
upward  of  fourscore  years  old,  would  nevei 
listen  to  the  calls  of  God,  or  be  persuaded 
that  she  needed  to  be  born  again.  But  now 
the  Lord  has  laid  his  hands  upon  her  soul  as 
well  as  her  body. 

Some  time  after  I  called  again,  and  found 
she  had  been  incessantly  crying  for  mercy. 
When  I  now  spoke  to  her,  she  cried  out, 
“The  Lord  will  save  me;  but  0  pray!”  I 
did  so;  and  then  asking,  “How  do  you  now 
feel?”  she  said,  with  uncommon  earnestness, 
“I  shall  soon  rejoice  in  him:  he  will  forgive 
my  sins!”  Soon  after  she  cried  aloud,  “Lord, 
I  hope  thou  wilt  soon  forgive  me!  Lord,  thou 
art  forgiving  me!  nay,  Lord,  thou  hast  for¬ 
given  me!”  After  this,  she  continued  ex¬ 
ceedingly  happy  for  five  days,  and  then  ex¬ 
changed  mortality  for  life! 

Tuesday,  19.— I  called  upon  that  old  saint, 
Thomas  Barber,  who  was  seized  the  day  be¬ 
fore  with  a  malignant  fever.  I  asked  him, 
“Is  the  Lord  precious  to  your  soul?”  He 
said,  “He  is  all  love;  I  shall  soon  be  with 
him.”  It  seems  worth  remarking  here,  that 
this  good  old  man  had  prayed  and  agonized 
with  God  for  many  years,  that  his  aged  wife 
might  see  his  salvation;  and  also  that  she 
might  be  first  taken  home.  His  request  was 
granted  in  both  these  respects.  A  little  before 
her  death,  the  Lord  revealed  his  salvation  to 
her  heart;  and  for  some  days  she  bore  testi- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  6l 

tiony  of  his  love,  often  repeating,  “Thy  rod 
ind  thy  staff  comfort  me.”  Just  before  she 
departed,  having  taken  an  affectionate  leave 
of  her  husband  and  children,  she  cried  aloud, 
“Now,  Lord,  thou  art  mine  forever  and  ever!” 
When  her  breath  was  gone,  her  husband  said, 
“Now,  Lord,  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart 
in  peace,  according  to  thy  word,  for  mine 
eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation.”  And  from 
that  time  his  body  was  perceived  to  fail. 

Thursday,  21. — I  found  him  very  ill,  but 
very  happy.  Yet  he  told  me,  “I  have  been 
tempted  to  fear  patience  will  not  hold  out  in 
all  this  pain,  for  I  feel  as  if  every  limb  was 
tearing  asunder  from  my  body;  but  I  know 
God  is  all  sufficient.”  I  called  again;  he  told 
me,  “My  pain  has  been  extreme,  but  I  feel 
the  presence  of  God  continually:  and  I  sensi¬ 
bly  know  he  is  as  near  to  me  as  I  am  to  my¬ 
self.  Whether  I  die  at  this  time  or  recover, 
my  will  is  wholly  resigned;  but  I  know  if  he 
calls  me  now,  I  shall  go  to  glory.”  In  the 
afternoon  his  every  breath  was  prayer  or 
praise;  and  all  his  attention  manifestly  taken 
up  with  heavenly  things.  To  the  doctor  he 
said,  “It  is  of  more  conseq'uence  that  you 
should  repent,  than  that  I  should  recover;  for 
if  I  die  I  shall  go  to  God;  but  if  you  do  not 
repent  you  will  perish:  *You  must  be  born 
again/  ” 

Saturday,  23. — His  dissolution  evidently 
drew  near.  He  was  sometimes  a  little  de¬ 
lirious;  yet  of  God  and  spiritual  things  he 


62 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


spoke  clearly  and  Scripturally,  and  prayed 
without  ceasign.  In  the  evening  he  broke 
out  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  and  repeated 
several  times,  “  Christ  is  God!  Christ  is  God!\ 
God  out  of  Christ  is  a  consuming  fire!”  On 
being  asked  how  he  did,  he  said,  “I  am  going 
to  the  heavenly  Canaan,  that  promised  land 
for  which  I  set  out  long  ago.”  While  the 
doctor  spoke  to  him  of  his  body,  he  regarded 
not,  but  told  him,  “I  am  not  afraid  to  die?” 
And  then,  with  lifted  hands,  prayed  that  all 
around  him,  especially  his  children,  might  fol¬ 
low  him  to  glory.  When  I  asked  him,  a  little 
after  this,  “Do  you  now  feel  God  graciously 
near?”  he  said — looking  with  a  solemn  stead¬ 
fastness  in  his  countenance,  as  if  he  saw 
something — “His  spiritual  presence  is  here!” 
and  bursting  into  a  flood  of  tears,  cried,  “I 
am  lull  of  God!  His  glory  fills  my  soul!” 
Another  asked  him,  “Have  you  any  doubts?” 
He  answered,  “I  have  not  the  least  doubt 
upon  my  mind  but  I  shall  reign  with  him  in 
glory!”  Late  that  night  I  called  again,  wish¬ 
ing  to  see  him  once  more,  and  though  deliri¬ 
ous  just  before,  when  one  said,  “Here  is  Miss 
Itoe,”  he  hastily  put  out  his  hand,  and  said, 
“May  God  bless  you!”  This  was  his  last 
address  to  me;  and  he  spoke  but  little  after¬ 
ward.  At  nine  the  next  morning  I  found  him 
speechless,  and  in  a  dying  state^  but  quite 
composed,  and  just  as  if  falling  into  a  sweet 
sleep.  Mr.  Simpson  came  in,  and  went  to 
prayer  with  him;  but  he  appeared  insensible 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


63 


to  all  below.  The  power  of  God,  however, 
rested  on  all  present,  in  an  abundant  manner; 
and  in  about  an  hour  afterward  he  expired, 
without  a„sigh  or  a  groan. 

Friday,  29. — Late  this  evening  my  cousin 
Robert  Roe  arrived,  with  the  corpse  of  his 
brother  Samuel,  who  died  at  Leek,  on  his  way 
home  from  Bristol.  There  was  great  hope  in 
the  end  of  this  once  gay  young  man.  My 
cousins,  William  and  Margaret,  also  arrived 
from  Liverpool.  0,  that  this  solemn  season 
may  be  sanctified  to  all  his  weeping  relatives 
and  friends!  and  may  those  who  partook  of 
the  follies  that  employed  his  youthful  years, 
take,  the  awful  warning,  and  seek  that  ac¬ 
quaintance  with  Jesus  in  life,  which  he  felt  so 
much  need  of  in  his  last  hours! 

March  27,  1781. — This  day,  at  my  uncle 
Roe’s,  I  saw  Mr.  Rogers  for  the  first  time. 
He  and  Mr.  Bardsley  are  come  over  from 
Sheffield  to  see  cousin  Robert,  who  respects 
Mr.  Rogers  much,  having  received  good  from 
his  preaching  at  Leeds.  We  had  a  blessed 
season  in  prayer -together;  and  cousin  Marga¬ 
ret  Roe,  in  particular,  seemed  stirred  up  and 
comforted.  Afterward  we  called  on  that  dy¬ 
ing  saint,  David  Pickford,  who  witnessed  a 
good  confession  of  the  love  of  Jesus,  which 
he  has  felt  experimentally  for  these  thirty-six 
years,  and  proves  him  yet  faithful.  At  night, 
Mr.  Rogers  preached  from,  “You  that  are 
troubled,  rest  with  us.”  And  at  five  o’clock 
next  morning,  Mr.  Bardsley  enforced  that 


64  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

blessed  portion,  “Fear  not,  for  I  am  with 
thee;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God,” 
etc.  I  felt  both  peculiar  seasons  of  divine 
blessings:  and  though  afterward  tried  at  home, 
it  was  a  day  of  deep  consolation. 

April  20. — I  was  much  comforted  by  hear¬ 
ing  of  the  happy  death  of  Ann  B.,  one  I  for¬ 
merly  loved  much,  and  dealt  faithfully  with. 
She  married  an  unconverted  man  about  a  year 
ago,  and,  in  consequence,  lost  much  of  her 
spirituality  of  mind.  But  the  Lord  loved  her, 
and  sent  a  lingering  affliction — slew  the  body, 
but  saved  the  soul! 

Friday,  27. — I  have  lately  experienced  more 
kindness  and  affection  from  my  mother  than 
for  some  years.  0,  how  good  is  the  Lord! 
Surely,  with  him  nothing  shall  be  impossible. 
My  uncle  Boe  is  seized  dangerously  ill,  and 
two  physicians  called  in. 

"Wednesday,  May  2. — There  is  no  hope  of 
my  uncle’s  recovery;  but  he  is  reconciled  to 
all  his  children,  and  calls  much  upon  God! 
and  begs  of  Mr.  Simpson  and  others  to  pray 
for  him — yea,  though  scarcely  able,  gets  upon 
his  knees  in  bed,  to  pray  for  himself. 

Thursday,  3. — As  I  went  to  my  uncle’s  this 
morning,  I  met  one  of  the  maids,  who  told 
me  he  was  dead!  He  lay  all  night,  quite 
composed;  but  about  ten  this  morning  sud¬ 
denly  opened  his  eyes,  and  fixed  them,  with 
seeming  delight,  on  some  object,  for  several 
minutes;  soon  after  which,  he  silently  breathed 
away  the  immortal  spirit!  and,  I  have  great 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  65 

hope,  is  escaped  ‘to  endless  life.  I  spent  the 
day  chiefly  with  my  cousins,  and  found  it  a 
solemn,  profitable  season.  Poor  cousin  Joseph 
came  a  few  hours  after  his  father’s  decease, 
having  rode  on  horseback  two  hundred  miles 
in  twenty-four  hours. 

Tuesday,  8. — In  the  dusk  of  the  evening 
my  uncle’s  remains  were  carried,  in  great 
pomp,  by  his  own  carriage  and  horses,  to  the 
new  church,  and  accompanied  by  coaches, 
torches,  and  a  vast  concourse  of  people;  but 
the  horses,  unaccustomed  to  be  adorned  with 
such  trappings  as  black  cloth,  escutcheons, 
etc.,  would  hardly  proceed.  He  was  interred 
by  Mr.  Simpson,  in  the  vault  he  had  so  lately 
prepared!  Yes,  this  much-feared  and  mucli- 
loved  man  is  now  committed  to  corruption  and 
worms!  It  reminds  me  of  Dr.  Young’s  beau¬ 
tiful  lines: 

“An  angel’s  arm  can’t  snatch  me  from  the  grave; 

Legions  of  angels  can’t  confine  me  there!” 

Tuesday,  July  3. — I  called  on  Ann  Shrig- 
ley,  who,  when  I  last  saw  her,  was  crying  for 
mercy,  in  deep  distress,  but  is  now  filled  with 
praise,  and  on  the  verge  of  a  glorious  eternity. 
On  Friday  last,  having  spoken  sharply  to  her 
husband,  she  was  seized  with  agony  of  spirit, 
and  cried  aloud,  “Now  I  am  lost  for  ever:  I 
shall  go  to  hell;  there  is  no  mercy  for  me!” 
But  she  wrestled  in  prayer  till  she  prevailed, 
and  the  Lord  shed  his  forgiving  love  abroad  in 
an  abundant  manner,  and  bore  his  witness 
with  her  heart  that  she  was  born  of  God. 

5 


66  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.1 

She  now  told  me,  “  I  long  *to  be  gone.  0, 
that  all  the  world  knew  what  I  feel!  they 
would  seek  God  and  find  him;  for  he  would 
save  them  all.  0,  that  blessed  eternity!  I 
am  going  to  that  blessed  eternity !”  I  said, 
“There  we  shall  meet,  to  part  no  more.” 
She  said,  “No,  never,  never  part  more!  we 
shall  be  forever  with  our  Lord.  0,  that 
blessed  Savior!  what  has  he  done  for  my  soul! 
If  my  bodily  affliction  was  a  thousand  times 
heavier  than  it  is,  his  love  would  be  above 
all.”  On  Monday,  16th,  I  went  with  Mr. 
Simpson,  who  administered  to  her  the  blessed 
memorials  of  a  Savior’s  dying  love;  and  we 
all  found  it  a  time  of  the  presence  and  power 
of  God.  She  continued  in  the  same  sweet 
frame  of  mind,  till  her  spirit  fled  away. 

Wednesday. — Cousin  F.  It.  called  on  me 
this  morning,  and  related  her  dream,  which 
has  made  a  deep  impression  on  her  mind,  and 
affected  me  much.  She  thought  her  father’s 
spirit  appeared  to  her  and  a  person  who  was 
with  her,  in  the  room  where  he  died;  and  that 
he  asked,  in  a  most  solemn  manner,  “Are  my 
family  and  children  seeking  salvation?  I  say, 
are  all  my  children  and  family  seeking  the 
full  assurance  of  salvation?”  He  then  disap¬ 
peared,  but  quickly  came  again,  as  if  he  was 
in  haste  to  give  them  warning,  lest  any  of 
them  should  defer  it  till  too  late,  and  perish  in 
their  sins;  and  asked,  “Have  all  my  family 
found  the  full  assurance  of  salvation?”  and 
added,  with  the  utmost  earnestness,  “  Tell 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  67 

them  never,  never,  never  to  rest  till  they  find 
it!  Do  you  hear  me?  Tell  them  never,  never 
to  rest  till  they  have  found  it!”  I  forbear  to 
mention  a  few  more  particulars,  in  this  awful 
dream!  those  whom  it  chiefly  concerns  no 
doubt  remember  them,  as  it  was  kept  no 
secret.  0,  may  it  make  lasting  impressions 
on  all!  Some  did  take  warning;  found  that 
full  assurance;  witnessed  a  good  confession  to 
all  their  friends,  and  are  now  safely  lodged  in 
Abraham’s  bosom: 

“Far  from  a  world  of  grief  and  sin, 

With  God  eternally  shut  in!” 

After  his  father’s  death,  my  cousin  Robert 
determined  to  settle  in  Macclesfield;  and  for 
that  purpose  built  a  good  house,  conveniently 
near  the  new  church.  A  lovely  situation  and 
good  air.  When  this  house  was  finished,  at 
his  earnest  request,  and  by  the  desire  of  his 
aunt,  Miss  S.,  and  several  more,  my  mother 
undertook  to  keep  the  house.  She  rented  the 
whole  dwelling,  and  he  boarded  with  her.  I 
mention  this,  because  it  appears  a  peculiar 
providence  that  placed  me  there,  to  be  with 
this  child  and  servant  of  God  in  his  last  mo¬ 
ments.  From  the  time  of  his  father’s  death 
to  that  of  his  own,  he  gave  himself  up  to  the 
work  of  God,  as  fully  as  health  would  possibly 
permit.  He  boldly  and  publicly  preached  the 
Gospel  in  and  near  Macclesfield;  and  the  Lord 
bcy^e  witness  to  his  word,  by  awakening,  con¬ 
verting,  and  saving  souls.  And  I  believe  I  may 
safely  affirm,  that  during  that  season  he  never 


68  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

preached  one  sermon  in  vain.  Sometimes 
two,  three,  or  four,  in  one  night,  were 
deeply  awakened;  and  once  seven;  and  com¬ 
monly  three  or  four  justified.  He  was  also 
the  instrument  of  many  believing  to  full  sal¬ 
vation. 

Friday,  August  9. — We  removed  to  my  cous¬ 
in’s  house;  where  I  enjoyed,  for  the  short  sea¬ 
son  of  his  life,  many  spiritual  privileges.  My 
mother  also  had  many  opportunities  of  which 
she  would  never  before  partake,  both  in  prayer 
and  Christian  conversation;  for  my  cousin  had 
constant  prayer  meetings,  bands,  etc.,  under 
his  roof;  and  endeavored  to  devote  his  whole 
time,  talents,  and  substance,  to  God.  But 
how  mysterious  are  the  ways  of  Providence! 
how  quickly  was  he  called  from  all  this! 

Tuesday,  20th,  he  caught  a  severe  cold, 
which  terminated  in  his  death.  Every  help 
was  procured,  but  to  no  effect.  His  soul, 
which  long  panted  after  holiness,  was  now 
deeply  distressed  to  feel*  the  power  of  the  all¬ 
cleansing  blood,  and  the  witness  of  being  saved 
from  all  sin.  He  called  on  me  many  times  a 
day  to  pray  with  him,  and  was  often  greatly 
comforted;  but  nothing  less  than  full  salvation 
would  satisfy  him.  Satan  at  times  took  ad¬ 
vantage  of  his  distracted  nerves,  and  sug¬ 
gested  terrible  fears;  so  that  his  conflicts  at 
some  seasons  were  great;  at  other  times  he 
was  filled  with  comfort;  and  during  the  whole 
of  his  affliction  he  never  expressed  the  least 
murmuring  or  impatience. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


69 


Tuesday,  27th,  in  attempting  to  walk  two  or 
three  times  across  the  room,  he  fainted  away; 
and  when  recovered,  said,  “I  beg  as  a  particu¬ 
lar  favor,  cousin,  that  you  will  be  with  me  as 
much  as  possiole;  don’t  leave  me,  and  God 
will  reward  you.”  I  seldom  did  after  this. 

September  2. — I  rose  at  five,  and  going  into 
his  room,  found  him  awake:  he  said,  “I  feel 
peculiarly  calm,  composed,  and  resigned  to  the 
will  of  God;  but  have  had  no  sleep:  tell  me  if 
you  have  not  been  praying  for  me?”  I  an¬ 
swered,  “Yes:”  he  said,*  “I  thought  so.” 
Then  he  desired  me  to  open  the  New  Testa¬ 
ment,  and  read  the  verse  that  first  appeared; 
I  did  so,  and  it  was  this:  “For  ye  are  dead, 
and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God;  when 
Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  appear,  then  shall 
ye  also  appear  with  him  in  glory.”  He  was 
greatly  comforted.  From  this  time  he  hastened 
toward  his  eternal  home! 

Monday,  9. — He  settled  all  his  temporal  con¬ 
cerns,  and  then  praised  God  for  having  done 
so,  and  was  very  happy.  But  in  the  night  he 
had  one  more  conflict  with  Satan.  I  prayed 
with  him  above  an  hour:  surely,  it  was  the 
most  solemn  season  I  ever  knew.  The  Lord’ 
heard  and  delivered.  He  fell  into  a  sweet 
sleep,  and  awoke  rejoicing;  yea,  triumphing  in 
God.  After  this,  he  enjoyed  the  witness  of 
entire  sanctification,  and  proclaimed  to  all  who 
came  near  him  the  love  of  his  God  and  Savior, 
saying,  “Now  I  know  by  experience  that  what 
I  have  preached  to  others  is  no  cunningly- 


70 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


devised  fable.  I  feel  now  the  blood  of  Jesus 
cleanseth  from  all  sin.  I  am  now  entirely  a 
new  creature!  I  can  love  the  Lord  with  all 
my  heart,  and  soul,  and  strength.  The  enemy 
tells  me,  if  I  get  better  I  shall  soon  lose  this: 
but  I  believe  I  shall  not;  for  I  know,  as  long 
as  I  have  this  hold  of  God,  nothing  will  be 
able  to  overcome  me.”  In  a  day  or  two  after 
he  was  often  delirious;  yet  still,  in  intervals, 
was  full  of  happiness,  love,  patience,  and  res¬ 
ignation,  though  he  suffered  much. 

Thursday,  12.— He  said,  “What  a  peace  do 
I  now  enjoy!  I  feel  now,  and  for  some  days 
past,  what  I  never  felt  before.  When  I  am  at 
the  worst — and  none  but  God  knows  what  I 
suffer — my  mind  is  peaceful  and  happy;  and  I 
have  not  a  murmuring  or  repining  thought.  I 
can  cast  all  my  care  oh  God,  as  I  never  could 
before;  and  even  my  helplessness  does  not  dis¬ 
courage  me,  for  I  find  his  grace  sufficient. 
But  I  see  a  great  fullness  yet  before  me.” 

Friday,  13. — When  he  was  taken  up  to  have 
his  bed  made  easy,  he  would  not  return  to 
it— though  every  breath  seemed  as  if  it  would 
be  his  last — till  he  had  given  a  short  account  of 
his  whole  experience  from  his  first  setting  out. 
He  went  through  all  his  trials,  persecutions, 
temptations,  etc.  “But  now,”  said  he,  “I 
reap  the  blessed  fruit;  and  I  can  say,  neither 
my  father’s  tears  nor  severity;  neither  hope  of 
preferment,  nor  fear  of  suffering,  ever  made 
me  prevaricate,  or  depart  from  what  I  believed 
my  duty  to  God.  And  now  I  prove  him  faith- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


71 


ful;  he  hath  said,  ‘Whosoever  forsaketh  father, 
or  mother,  or  brothers,  or  sisters,  or  houses, 
or  lands,  for  my  sake  and  the  Gospel’s,  shall 
receive  a  hundred-fold  in  this  life;  even  father 
and  mother,  houses  and  lands,  etc.;  and  in  the 
world  to  come  everlasting  life.’  This  is  literally 
fulfilled  in  me.  I  forsook  all;  and  I  was 
restored  to  my  father’s  favor.  I  have  a  house, 
land,  etc.,  in  this  life,  and  I  am  going  to  ever¬ 
lasting  life!  whereas,  if  I  had  basely  complied 
with  my  friends’  desires,  I  should  have  pos¬ 
sessed  no  more  in  this  life  than  I  now  do;  and 
should  have  been  lying  here  with  a  guilty  con¬ 
science,  a  frowning  God,  and  full  of  horror,  in 
the  views  of  a  miserable  eternity!  0,  how 
good  it  is  to  give  up  all  for  God!  Now  I  feel 
it,  and  I  shall  praise  him  forever!”  0,  how 
pleasing  was  this  noble  testimony  from  a  dying- 
friend,  when  obliged  to  gasp  for  breath  be¬ 
tween  every  sentence!  He  continued  for  some 
time  after  this  praising  God,  and  recommend¬ 
ing  all  his  relations  and  friends  to  his  protec¬ 
tion;  the  particulars  of  which  I  omit  here,  hav¬ 
ing  already  referred  the  reader  to  them  in  the 
Magazine.* 

Saturday,  24. — He  was  quite  deranged,  yet 
composed,  and  knew  me  to  the  last.  At  three 
o’clock  on  Sunday  morning  death  sweats  came 
on,  and  about  half-past  five  he  fled  to  his  eter¬ 
nal  rest!  All  in  the  room  sensibly  felt  the 

})resence  of  God.  Yea,  it  was  as  the  gate  of 
leaven,  while  on  our  knees  we  watched  the 
*  The  Methodist  Magazine  for  1783-4. 


72 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


last  parting  breath!  Mr.  Simpson  preached  a 
funeral  sermon  in  the  new  church,  on  Sunday, 
the  29th;  and  Mr.  Rogers  at  the  Methodist 
chapel.  The  former  from,  “These  are  they 
who  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have 
washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb.”  The  latter  from, 
“Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  up¬ 
right;  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace.”  I 
believe  many  will  remember  the  blessed  season 
to  their  eternal  good. 

In  the  year  following  I  had  another  trying 
scene  to  pass  through.  Dear  Mrs.  Rogers, 
after  the  birth  of  her  little  James,  never  re¬ 
covered  her  health.  Mr.  Rogers,  being  a  great 
deal  in  the  country  parts  of  the  circuit,  1  was 
very  much  with  her;  and  our  love  for  each 
other  daily  increased.  At  different  times  she 
opened  her  whole  heart  to  me  on  very  tender 
points;  for  we  were  as  one  soul.  For  several 
weeks  before  her  death,  she  entreated  me  not 
to  leave  her,  when  I  could  possibly  help  it. 
But  as  her  experience  and  triumphant  death 
are  already  published,  I  forbear  to  enlarge 
respecting  either.  0,  my  Lord,  let  my  latter 
end  be  like  hers! 

I  come  now  briefly  to  observe,  that  after  a 
wonderful  chain  of  Divine  leadings,  and  re¬ 
markable  providences — too  tedious  to  dwell 
upon  here — on  August  19,  1784,  I  was  mar¬ 
ried  to  Mr.  Rogers,  in  whom  the  Lord  gave 
me  a  helpmeet  indeed;  just  such  a  partner  as 
my  weakness  needed  to  strengthen  me.  He 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


73 


hath  made  us  of  one  heart  and  one  soul;  and 
for  above  eight  years  hath  crowned  our  union 
with  his  constant  smile. 

We  spent  a  week  or  ten  days  after  our  mar¬ 
riage  with  my  mother;  and  then  hastened  to 
Dublin,  where  Mr.  B,ogers  was  appointed  to 
labor.  We  were  gladly  received,  and  the 
Lord  gave  us  the  hearts  of  the  people.  Our 
hands  being  thus  strengthened  of  the  Lord, 
we  agreed  solemnly  to  devote  ourselves  and 
our  all  to  him  and  his  work.  And  glory  to 
his  name,  we  saw  a  blessed  revival:  in  three 
years  the  society  increased  from  about  live 
hundred  to  eleven  hundred  and  upward;  and 
we  had  good  cause  to  believe  above  four  hun¬ 
dred  were  converted  to  God. 

In  August,  1789,  we  came  over  from  Dub¬ 
lin  to  see  my  mother  at  Macclesfield.  Mr. 
Wesley,  and  several)  preachers  with  families, 
also  coming  at  the  same  time  to  England,  we 
took  the  whole  ship.  In  this  passage  we  were 
in  imminent  danger,  by  dashing  on  a  rock 
called  the  West  Mouse.  But  prayer  was 
made,  the  Lord  heard,  and  wonderfully  deliv¬ 
ered!  We  landed  at  Park  Gate,  and  traveled 
with  Mr.  Wesley  to  Macclesfield,  where  my 
mother  received  us  with  great  affection.  After 
the  Manchester  conference,  we  returned  to 
Dublin,  where  we  had  left  our  little  boy.  We 
spent  about  a  week  with  our  very  affectionate 
friends  there,  and  then  proceeded  to  Cork. 

Here,  also,  the  Lord* graciously  revived  his 
Work.  His  work  prospered  and  prevailed; 


74 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


and  we  liad  cause  to  rejoice,  not  only  over  a 
few  individuals,  but  several  families,  who  were 
added  to  the  fold  of  God.  We  found  three 
hundred  and  ninety-seven  members  in  society, 
and  left  six  hundred  and  fifty.  In  the  last 
year  we  had  some  close  trials  through  a  few 
individuals;  but  our  spiritual  mercies  over¬ 
balanced  them  all.  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever 
enjoyed  more  of  the  Lord’s  presence  than  at 
Cork,  except  during  the  time  of  a  severe  ner¬ 
vous  fever,  and  then  the  cloud  was  only  for  a 
few  days;  and  that,  I  believe,  was  merely  ow¬ 
ing  to  the  body;  for  though,  in  a  week  after¬ 
ward,  all  the  feelings  of  nature  were  touched, 
I  felt  nothing  contrary  to  resignation,  patience, 
or  love. 

At  the  time  of  which  I  now  speak,  my  own  re¬ 
covery  was  doubtful.  Mr.  Rogers — oppressed 
with  grief  through  my  illness,  and  by  his  atten¬ 
tion  to  me  night  and  day — was  very  ill.  James 
had  a  fever;  the  maid  was  confined  with  sick¬ 
ness;  and  my  little  John,  six  weeks  old,  in 
convulsions,  for  three  days!  Surely,  in  this 
scene,  the  Lord  magnified  his  power  in  sup¬ 
porting  my  weakness,  and  enabling  me  then  to 
sa}^,  “Good  is  the  will  of  the  Lord.”  After 
this  season,  my  consolations  were  abundant; 
and  my  faith,  love,  and  communion  with  God, 
much  deepened. 

I  had  here  some  encouraging  letters  from 
Mr.  Wesley.  In  the  last  two  he  mentioned 
his  intention  of  removing  us  to  London  at  the 
ensuing  conference.  I  trembled  at  the  thought 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


75 


of  so  important  a  charge;  but  committed  it  to 
God  in  much  prayer.  And  notwithstanding 
our  various  exercises  of  body  and  mind  since 
we  came  to  this  city,  I  am  certain  divine  love 
has  mixed  every  cup,  and  ordered  all  things 
well.  To  be  with  that  honored  and  much¬ 
loved  servant  of  God,  Mr.  Wesley,  for  five 
months,  and  then  to  be  witnesses  of  his  glo¬ 
rious  exit,  was  a  favor  indeed.  But  0,  how 
awful  the  scene!  how  unspeakable  the  loss!  I 
peculiarly  felt  it;  being  then  in  a  weak  state, 
not  quite  recovered  from  my  late  sickness. 

The  solemnity  of  the  dying  hour  of  that 
great  and  good  man,  1  believe  will  be  ever 
written  on  my  heart!  Well  might  Dr.  Young 
say,  “  The  chamber  where  the  good  man  meets 
his  fate,  is  privileged  beyond  the  common  walk 
of  virtuous  life,  quite  in  the  verge  of  heaven!” 
A  cloud  of  the  Divine  presence  rested  on  all! 
and  while  he  could  hardly  be  said  to  be  an 
inhabitant  of  earth,  being  now  speechless,  and 
his  eyes  fixed,  victory  and  glory  were  written 
on  his  countenance,  and  quivering,  as  it  were, 
on  his  dying  lips!  0,  could  he  then  have 
spoken,  metliinks  it  would  have  been  nothing 
but  victory!  victory! — grace!  grace! — glory! 
glory!  No  language  can  paint  what  appeared 
in  that  face!  The  more  we  gazed  upon  it,  the 
more  we  saw  of  heaven  unspeakable!  Not  the 
least  sign  of  pain,  but  a  weight  of  bliss.  Thus 
he  continued,  only  his  breath  growing  weaker 
and  weaker,  till,  without  a  struggle  or  a  groan, 
he  left  the  cumbrous  clay  behind,  and  fled 


76 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


to  eternal  life  in  the  bosom  of  his  faithful 
Lord. 

When  I  look  back  on  the  afflictive  scenes 
we  have  passed  through  since  this  trying  event, 
and  consider  we  are  yet  monuments  of  grace 
and  saving  power,  I  am  lost  in  wonder  and  in 
love.  Mr.  Rogers,  in  particular,  has  been 
tried  as  in  the  fire,  and  exposed,  through  his 
office,  as  a  mark  to  shoot  at;  yet,  through  in¬ 
finite  mercy,  I  believe  he  will  come  out  of  it 
all  more  fully  purified.  I  might  here  enlarge 
on  particulars,  but  shall  leave  the  Lord’s  faith¬ 
ful  servants,  as  well  as  the  instruments  of  their 
sufferings,  to  Him  who  will  plead  the  cause  of 
the  innocent,  and  “make  all  things  work  to¬ 
gether  for  good  to  them  that  love  God:”  pray¬ 
ing,  with  our  suffering  Lord,  for  those  who 
now  persecute  him  in  his  members,  “Father, 
forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they 
do.” 

I  shall  now  onty  observe,  as  it  relates  to  my 
own  experience,  that  these  trying  exercises  of 
my  dear  partner  have  been  keenly  felt  by  me. 
And  my  nervous  system,  weakened  by  that 
dangerous  fever  at  Cork,  has  also  greatly  suf¬ 
fered  by  these  things;  which,  like  “wave  upon 
wave,  have  followed  each  other!”  To  this  X 
ascribe  it  chiefly,  that  a  cloud  of  heaviness  has, 
at  some  seasons,  hung  upon  my  mind;  and 
that  Satan  has  taken  occasion  to  suggest,  in 
those  times  of  depression,  various  accusations 
of  shortcomings  in  zeal,  activity,  and  spiritual 
joy.  I  do  not  mean  that  I  was  ever  left  in 


MRS,  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  77 

darkness;  no,  since  I  first  consciously  received 
a  sense  of  favor  with  God,  I  never  lost  it;  but 
within  two  years  last  past,  I  have  not  always 
had  so  clear  a  witness  of  perfect  love.  At 
other  times  I  have  had  that  witness  full  and 
clear;  and  at  all  times  could  say, 

“None  but  Jesus  will  I  know, 

None  but  him  do  I  desire. 

Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee? 

Thou  art  all  in  all  to  me!” 

But  in  nothing  else  than  full  salvation,  and  the 
witness  of  it,  could  my  soul  ever  rest.  0  no! 
What  is  past  experience  without  present  en¬ 
joyment?  I  must  feel,  or  I  can  not  be  happy. 

Sunday,  November  11,  1792. — This  day  it 
is  eighteen  years  since  I  received  the  knowl¬ 
edge  of  a  reconciled  God.  0,  that  I  were  in 
a  deeper  sense  “a  mother  in  Israel !”  My 
Lord  has  ever  been  faithful  to  me.  In  all  my 
persecutions  he  comforted  me.  In  the  alluring 
snares  of  youth,  he  saved,  he  kept  me.  It 
was  by  his  grace* I  forsook  all;  denied  myself 
ease,  pleasure,  friends:  and  after  he  had  proved 
me,  he  gave  me  easier  circumstance^,  and  one 
of  the  best  of  earthly  friends.  He  has  in¬ 
structed  my  ignorance,  and  strengthened  my 
weakness.  Through  various  scenes*  and  in 
outward  perplexities,  how  often  have  I  received 
immediate  Reaching-  from  God!  In  traveling 
from  city  to  city,  how  have  I  been  protected 
by  guardian  love,  and  saved  from  fear  and 
danger  on  the  watery  deep!  May  I  never 
forget  the  ten  thousand  proofs  of  his  love  in 


78 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Dublin,  in  Cork,  in  London!  He  bath  given 
me  favor  in  the  eyes  of  his  children  in  every 
place,  and  helped  me  feebly  to  serve  them. 
He  hath  given  me  spiritual  children,  also,  some 
of  whom  are  lodged  safely  in  his  bosom,  and 
others  in  the  way  to  glory.  I  have  had  five 
lovely  children  in  the  flesh:  and  besides  these, 
my  dear  Joseph  and  Benjamin,  left  with  me  in 
charge,  and  to  whom  I  feel  united  in  all  the 
tenderness  of  parental  love;  nor  have  they 
ever  been  wanting  in  a  due  return.  One — a 
fine  boy — my  Lord  hath  taken  to  the  abodes 
of  bliss;  and  for  the  rest,  he  assures  my  heart, 

“The  children  of  thy  faith  and  prayer, 

Shall  all  to  thee  be  given.” 

The  witness  of  his  perfect  love  ever  shone 
upon  my  soul,  till,  for  a  season,  in  my  nervous 
fever;  but  that  season  past,  it  shone  afresh, 
and  continued  so  to  do;  till  at  intervals  in  the 
two  years  past  I  have  not  so  constantly  en¬ 
joyed  this  blessing.  I  have  been  jealous  over 
myself  with  a  godly  jealousy,  lest  anxiety 
about  a  multiplicity  of  outward  things  has  too 
much  stolen  upon  me;  and  lest  at  other 
times  I  have  suffered  my  mind  to  dwell  too 
much  on  disagreeables;  lest  I  have  been  less 
active,  less  zealous,  less  spiritual.  Yet  I  dare 
not  say  I  have  forfeited  the  blessing.  But  I  can 
not  rest  when  the  witness  is  not  clear.  I  know 
that  much  I  have  felt  has  been  •temptation,  and 
that  Satan  has  accused  when  my  God  did  not 
condemn. 

Many  also  have  been  my  seasons  of  deep 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  79 

consolation — of  deep  communion  with  God; 
many,  and  remarkable  my  deliverances,  and 
answers  to  prayer;  and  great  my  divine  sup¬ 
port  in  every  hour  of  trial.  At  present  I  am 
sinking  into  the  arms  of  love,  and  I  do  feel  I 
am  all  the  Lord’s.  Many  things  that  have 
crucified  my  will  of  late,  have  been  good  for 
me.  I  desire  to  be  crucified  with  Christ,  and 
that  he  should  live  alone  in  me!  I  feel  he 
now  does;  but  I  long  for  a  yet  larger  meas¬ 
ure  of  his  mind,  more  of  every  grace,  and 
deeper  communion  with  my  God.  He  does 
meet  me  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  all  tempta¬ 
tions  respecting  conflicts  with  Satan  in  death 
are  vanished.  I  know  my  Joshua  will  be 
with  me  in  Jordan,  and  see  me  safe  through. 
Sometimes  I  have  thought  I  shall  have  to 
pass  that  river  before  it  be  long;  but  that 
I  leave  to  him.  I  feel  no  desires  of  life, 
except  when  I  see  my  dear  husband  op¬ 
pressed  with  trials,  and  my  living  seems  as 
if  it  would  be  a  help  and  comfort  to  him; 
or,  when  a  silent,  resigned  wish  arises^  to  see 
my  children  grown,  and  partakers  of  regen¬ 
erating  grace.  But  I  am  kept  from  anxiety. 

I  feel  grateful  to  my  God  that  I  am  placed 
here — at  /Spitalfields — though  but  for  a  sea¬ 
son:  where  I  can  enjoy  more  retirement,  and 
less  of  busy  life.  My  God  is  with  me,  and  I 
trust  he  will  draw  and  unite  more  fully  to 
himself  his  helpless  creature!  I  have  power 
with  him  in  prayer,  and  I  know  he  will  an¬ 
swer  my  enlarged  requests,  for  myself,  my 


80 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


other  self,  and  our  offspring.  We  shall  he 
his:  I  will  be  his  alone.  This  day  I  conse¬ 
crate  to  him  my  soul  and  body’s  powers,  my 
life,  my  all.  May  his  blessed  Spirit  come  and 
seal  me  his  abode;  ratify  the  covenant;  and 
with  the  Father  and  the  Son  dwell  forever  in 
my  heart.  Amen.  0  my  God,  I  sign  myself 
over  to  thee!  This  solemn  hour, 

“My  soul  and  body  I  resign, 

With  joy  I  render  thee 
My  all,  no  longer  mine,  but  thine 
To  all  eternity.” 

Hester  Ann  Rogers. 


A  SERMON. 


“  [t  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die,”  Heb.  ix,  27. 


If  the  remains  of  our  departed  sister,  in 
memory  of  whom  the  present  discourse  is  de¬ 
livered,  were  now  before  your  eyes,  with  all 
the  pomp  and  splendor  of  modern  funerals,  it 
is  not  improbable  there  are  some  whose  minds 
would  be  affected  with  a  solemn  but  supersti¬ 
tious  awe,  which  the  preacher  has  neither 
power  nor  inclination  to  raise.  He  is  con¬ 
scious  that  those  who  had  the  privilege  of 
being  acquainted  with  our  respected  sister, 
need  nothing  more  than  the  recollection  of 
that  amiable  woman,  under  the  blessing  of 
God,  to  infuse  into  them  that  spirit  of  true  so¬ 
lemnity  which  alone  becomes  the  Christian  on 
these  occasions.  But  yet,  that  which  rise? 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  81 

above  every  other  consideration,  is  the  mo¬ 
mentous  truth  held  out  to  us  in  my  text,  that 
great  statute  law  of  Heaven,  “It  is  appointed 
unto  men  once  to  die.” 

For  the  due  improvement  of  this  weighty 
subject,  we  shall,  under  the  blessing  of  the 
Most  High, 

First.  Give  an  explication  of  the  text. 

Second.  Consider  the  grand  point  held  forth 
to  our  view — the  certainty  of  death. 

Third.  Lay  down  some  considerations 
against  the  fear  of  death,  for  the  use  and 
comfort  of  believers. 

Fourth.  Draw  some  inferences  from  the 
foregoing  heads  of  discourse:  And, 

Lastly,  Present  you  with  an  epitome  of  the 
experience,  death,  and  character,  of  our  de¬ 
ceased  friend,  Mrs.  Hester  Ann  Rogers. 

I.  We  are  to  explain  the  text. 

1.  The  proposition  is  indefinite,  therefore 
universal,  “all  must  die.”  It  is  not  confined 
to  any  sex  or  description.  The  whole  race  is 
included.  But  yet  there  have  been,  and  still 
shall  be,  exceptions  to  the  general  rule. 

First.  Enoch,  that  holy  man,  who  walked 
with  God  three  hundred  years,  and  then 
“was  not,  for  God  took  him.  By  faith  he 
was  translated”  into  heaven.  When  he  had, 
for  so  long  a  time,  bornA  by  example  and 
prophecy,  his  faithful  testimony  against  the 
sins  of  a  wicked  world,  just  mature  for  de¬ 
struction,  his  merciful  Redeemer,  the  God  of 
Israel,  with  whose  smile  and  intimacy  he  had 
6 


82  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

been  divinety  honored  for  centuries,  took  him 
into  his  everlasting  arms,  and  fitted  him  at 
once  for  consummate  glory. 

Second.  Elijah,  the  great  and  highly-hon¬ 
ored  prophet,  who  had  power  to  open  and 
shut  the  heavens,  and  to  call  down  celestial 
fire;  when  he  had  finished  his  suffering  life  in 
the  midst  of  a  crooked,  adulterous,  idolatrous 
people,  his  Friend  and  his  God  took  him,  soul 
and  body  together,  in  a  chariot  of  fire,  to  the 
heaven  of  heavens.  These  are  the  exceptions 
we  have  had  already. 

And,  in  respect  to  futurity,  “we  shall  not 
all  sleep,  but  we  shall  be  changed  in  a  mo¬ 
ment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last 
trump;  for  the  trumpet  shall  sound/’  and  in¬ 
stantly  all  the  faithful  who  are  then  alive 
shall  put  on  incorruption  and  immortality, 
and  shall  afterward  enter  into  their  Master’s 
joy,  without  suffering  the  usual  lot  of  mor¬ 
tality. 

The  above  excepted,  we  must  all  pass 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, 
and  return  to  the  dust  whence  we  came. 
And  truly,  my  brethren,  I  know  not  whether 
I  should  not  prefer,  if  the  choice  were  given 
me,  to  tread  the  steps  my  Savior  trod  before 
me,  and  to  pass  after  him  through  the  door 
of  death,  than  to  be  at  once  translated  to  the 
realms  of  bliss.  He  has  sanctified  the  grave 
by  lying  in  it:  and  every  path  in  which  we 
follow  the  Lamb  is  strewed  with  blessings  "to 
the  faithful.  He  will  take  care  of  our  sacred 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


83 


dust:  every  thing  which  is  essential  to  hu¬ 
manity  will  he  preserve  in  the  hollow  of  his 
hand,  till  he  completely  mold  it  by  almighty 
power,  and  give  it  a  luster,  to  which  the  sun 
shall  appear  as  darkness. 

2.  Ail  must  die  once,  but  all  shall  not  die 
the.  second  death.  There  is  the  comfort  of 
the  believer.  That  divine  and  ineffable  union 
which  subsists  between  God  and  the  Chris¬ 
tian’s  soul,  shall  preserve  the  consecrated 
body,  which  here  below  is  the  temple  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  As  the  whole  humanity  of 
Christ  was  united  to  his  Godhead,  even  when 
Ms  soul  and  body  were  separated,  so  the  soul 
and  body  of  the  faithful  are  united  to  Christ, 
even  when  they  are  separated  by  death;  for 
we  are  “bone  of  his  bone,  and  flesh  of  his 
flesh.”  When  death  shall  untie  those  secret 
and  sweet  bands,  those  vital  knots  which 
fasten  soul  and  body  together,  then  shall  the 
sanctified  and  immortal  spirit  burst  through 
its  tenement  of  clay,  and  take  possession  of 
its  everlasting  home.  On  such  “the  second 
death  hath  no  power.”  To  them  death  is 
only  a  sleep,  a  happy  passage  out  of  the 
prison  of  the  body  into  a  state  of  perfect  free¬ 
dom;  out  of  an  earthly  house,  where  the  bet¬ 
ter  part  groans,  “into  a  building  of  God,  a 
house  not  made  by  hands,  eternal  in  the  heav¬ 
ens.”  But, 

3.  We  must  all  undergo  the  first  death. 
This  is  the  irrevocable  decree  of  Heaven:  not 
from  the  necessity  of  nature,  but  as  the  pun- 


84 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


ishment  of  sin.  Man  was  made  immortal: 
sin  alone  brought  death  into  the  world,  and 
all  our  woe.  “By  sin,”  says  St.  Paul, 
“death  entered  into  the  world.”  And  shall 
we  nourish  and  indulge  our  great  enemy? 
Shall  we  harbor;  yea,  shall  we  serve  the  mur¬ 
derers  of  Christ?  Shall  we  not  exert  our¬ 
selves  to  the  uttermost  against  the  greatest 
foe  of  God  and  man?  Shall  a  little  tem¬ 
porary  joy  or  profit  induce  us  to  sacrifice 
everlasting  happiness,  and  to  embrace  ever¬ 
lasting  burnings?  May  the  awful  decree,  “It 
is  appointed  unto  man  once  to  die,”  have 
such  an  influence  on  our  minds,  and  be  so 
accompanied  by  the  operations  of  grace  upon 
our  hearts,  that  we  may  always  be  ena¬ 
bled  to  say  with  holy  triumph,  “  0  death, 
where  is  thy  sting?  0  grave,  where  is 
thy  victory?  Thanks  be  to  God,  who  giv- 
eth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.” 

II.  But  we  now  proceed  to  consider  the 
second  point — the  unavoidableness  and  cer¬ 
tainty  of  death. 

It  needs  no  proof.  Every  thing  else  on  this 
side  of  the  grave  is  attended  with  probability 
or  possibility  only;  this  alone  with  certainty. 
If  it  be  inquired,  Will  such  a  child  be  rich  or 
poor,  be  learned  or  ignorant,  be  honorable  or 
contemptible?  the  answer  is,  Perhaps  it  may, 
perhaps  not.  But  if  it  be  inquired,  Shail  he 
die?  the  answer  contains  no  perhaps:  it  is 
simply,  He  certainly  shall. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  85 

I  shall,  therefore,  only  consider  the  present 
head  in  a  way  of  application.  For  it  is  the 
heart  alone  which  needs  To  be  awakened  on 
the  present  subject.’  Such  is  the  sottishness 
of  men  in  general,  that  they  will  not  duly 
consider  the  transitoriness  of  all  sublunary 
things,  the  mortality  of  our  bodies,  and  the 
infinitely-momentous  concerns  of  eternity. 
Let  us,  therefore,  examine  into  the  grand 
reasons  of  this  stupidity  of  man.  We  shall 
find  it,  perhaps,  to  proceed  from  the  following 
particulars: 

1.  Immense  multitudes  are  so  immersed  in 
the  pleasures,  honors,  or  riches  of  this  world, 
that  every  thought  of  the  certainty  or  ap¬ 
proach  of  death  is  drowned  therein.  As  soon 
as  an  idea  on  the  important  subject  springs  up 
in  the  mind,  it  sinks  and  is  lost  in  the  innu¬ 
merable  ideas  which  continually  crowd  in  con-' 
cerning  the  things  of  time  and  sense:  it  is 
devoured  by  the  worldly  thoughts  which  are 
incessantly  buzzing  in  the*  souls  of  carnal  men. 
One  is  eagerly  pursuing  things  of  time,  and  is 
so  abhorrent  of  reflection,  that  with  a  variety 
of  invented  delights,  he  imps  the  wings  of 
time,  to  make  them  fly  the  faster;  and  is 
never  contented,  but  when  the  senses  are 
gratified.  Another  is  eaten  up  by  ambition; 
he  forgets  he  isimortal;  and  power,  and  titles, 
and  worldly  honors,  are  the  only  food  of  his 
soul.  A  third,  like  the  fool  in  the  parable, 
trusts  in  his  riches.  He  says  to  his  soul, 
“  Soul,  thou  hast  much  goods  laid  up  for  many 


86  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

years;  eat,  drink,  and  be  merry:’’  whereas  he 
might  as  well  lay  a  plaster  to  his  clothes  to 
heal  the  wounds  of  his  body,  as  imagine  that 
happiness  can  be  brought  into  his  soul  by 
any  thing  which  the  honors,  riches,  or  pleas¬ 
ures  of  this  world  can  possibly  afford  him. 
If  he  will  believe  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  sum 
total  of  them  all  is,  “Vanity  of  vanities,  all 
is  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit.”  If  vanity 
can  satisfy  you,  if  vexation  of  spirit  can  give 
you  content,  if  you  can  gather  grapes  of 
thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles,  then  go  and  doat 
upon  the  creatures. 

2.  Men  in  general  are  continually  viewing 
death  as  at  a  distance;  and  thereby  entirely 
lose  sight  of  the  awful  certainty  and  unavoid¬ 
ableness  of  it.  When  they  are  young,  the 
heat  of  blood,  the  incessant  flow  of  the  animal 
spirits,  a  vicious  education,  and  the  constant 
company  of  the  dissipated  and  unawakened, 
drive  away  every  thought  of  death,  as  if  the 
solemn  moment  were  at  the  utmost  distance 
from  them.  Those  who  are  grown  up  to 
manhood,  and  are  strong  and  healthy,  think 
it  quite  sufficient  to  provide  for  death  when 
sickness  gives  the  summons.  Those  who  are 
.sickly  and  diseased,  buoy  up  themselves  in 
their  false  confidence,  by  their  hopes  of  re¬ 
covery;  and  even  the  aged- — strange  as  it 
seems! — regard  their  few  remaining  days  as 
if  they  were  years.  Such  is  the  state  of  the 
unregenerate;  such  the  dreadful  consequence 
of  a  heart  hardened  against  divine  things  by 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  87 

original  and  actual  sin!  What  if  God  were 
to  summon  you  away,  sinners,  in  an  hour  or  a 
moment!  how  dreadful  would  be  the  alarm! 
And  should  we  not  be  every  moment  pre¬ 
pared,  by  living  in  the  favor  of  God,  and  in 
the  light  of  his  countenance*;  for  who  can 
assure  himself  for  a  moment  to  come?  For 
aught  you  know,  the  film,  the  bubble,  which 
holds  your  lives,  is  now  breaking!  0  did  we 
but  seriously  consider  by  what  small  pins  this 
frame  of  man  is  tacked  together,  it  would  ap¬ 
pear  to  us  a  miracle  that  we  lived  for  a  single 
hour! 

3.  The  apprehensions,  the  terrors,  arising 
in  the  minds  of  the  unregenerate  from  reflec¬ 
tion  upon  death,  keep  them  from  any  due 
considerations  on  the  certainty  and  unavoid¬ 
ableness  of  it.  The  agonies  of  death,  the 
senseless  corpse,  the  gnawing  worm,  and  all 
the  other  attendants  of  that  grim  king  of  ter¬ 
rors,  form  far  too  miserable  a  subject  for  the 
jovial  world  or  the  dissipated  throng  to  reflect 
upon  for  a  moment.  But  though  the  consid¬ 
eration  of  these  things  is  very  unwelcome, 
yea,  very  dismal  to  the  minds  of  sinners,  yet 
there  is  far  worse  behind:  and  that  is  the  sin 
which  deserves  death,  and  the  hell  which  fol¬ 
lows  it.  To  be  forever  shut  up  in  utter  dark¬ 
ness;  to  be  the  sport  of  devils,  as  far  as  devils 
can  sport  themselves  with  any  thing;  to  be 
banished  forever  from  the  source  of  happiness; 
to  have  the  soul  eternally  tormented  by  the 
worm  which  dieth  not,  and  the  immortalized 


88 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


body  by  a  fire  suited  to  its  ever-dying,  but 
nevdr-annihilated  substance:  the  subjects  af¬ 
ford  ideas  which,  if  thoroughly  attended  to, 
and  applied  by  the  grace  of  God,  would  soon 
stir  up  the  soul  to  enter  into  that  state  of  favor 
with  the  Lord,  which  would  make  dissolution 
a  privilege,  and  death  a  kind  messenger  with¬ 
out  a  sting,  to  open  the  gate  to  everlasting  joys. 

III.  But  this  leads  me  to  the  third  head  of 
my  discourse;  namely,  to  lay  down  some  con¬ 
siderations  against  the  fear  of  death,  for  the 
use  and  comfort  of  believers. 

1.  If  the  soul  be  immortal,  if  it  were  crea¬ 
ted  and  redeemed  for  the  eternal  enjoyment  of 
God,  and,  consequently  enter  after  death  on 
an  infinitely-better  life  than  this,  the  believer 
may  certainly  be  well  contented,  yea,  glad  to 
die.  The  glorious  view  which  faith  opens  to 
the  spiritual  eye  far  overbalances  all  the  fright¬ 
ful  objects  with  which  death  is  surrounded. 
The  scenes  of  pure  perennial  bliss,  where 
saints  eternally  bask  themselves  in  the  bright 
beams  of  the  countenance  of  their  God,  and 
bathe  themselves  in  the  rivers  of  pleasures 
which  flow  at  his  right  hand  for  evermore,  are 
sufficient,  though  only  viewed  in  prospect,  to 
elevate  the  soul  above  every  terrifying  thought 
which  can  possibly  assail  it,  An  old  heathen 
philosopher,  Tullius  Cicero,  in  his  dream  of 
Scipio,  beautifully  observes,  “If  I  were  now 
disengaged  from  my  cumbrous  body,  and  on 
the  wing  for  Elysium,  [the  place  where  the 
ancient  Romans  supposed  the  virtuous  would 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  89 

dwell  after  death,]  and  some  superior  being 
should  meet  me  in  my  flight,  and  make  me  an 
offer  of  returning  and  reanimating  my  body, 
I  should  without  hesitation  reject  his  offer:  so 
much  rather  would  I  go  to  Elysium,  to  reside 
with  Socrates  and  Plato,  and  all  the  ancient 
worthies,  and  spend  my  time  in  conversing 
with  them.”  But  could  a  heathen  thus  tri¬ 
umph  in  the  thought  of  enjoying  his  poor, 
miserable  paradise,  and  prefer  it  even  to  life, 
how  much  more  may  a  Christian  triumph  in 
the  exulting  thought,  that  he  shall  spend  an 
eternity  with  the  wisest,  the  holiest,  the  hap¬ 
piest  beings  that  ever  came  out  of  the  creative 
hand  of  God;  yea,  that  he  shall  spend  an 
eternity  with  Jesus,  the  Mediator  of  the  new 
covenant,  the  joy  of  his  heart,  and  the  delight 
of  his  eyes:  where  he  shall  fix  his  ever-waking 
eyes  on  the  infinite  beauty  of  his  adorable 
Lord;  yea,  if  it  were  possible,  would  think 
eternity  itself  too  short  for  the  beholding  and 
admiring  such  transcendent  excellences,’  and 
for  the  solemnizing  those  heavenly  espousals 
between  Christ  and  his  most  beloved  spouse, 
when  all  the  powers  of  heaven  shall  triumph 
for  joy,  and  a  concert  of  seraphim  forever  sing 

the  weddino'  song;. 

o. 

2.  The  whole  life  of  a  Christian  is  founded 
on  a  hope  which  can  not  be  accomplished  but 
by  dying.  How  exceedingly  mistaken  must 
he  be,  who  fears  that  which  alone  can  gratify 
his  highest  wishes,  and  is  the  great  end  of  all 
his  pursuits!  What  does  the  Christian  chiefly 


90  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

hope  for?  Is  it  not  the  full  enjoyment  of  his 
God  in  the  realms  of  bliss?  Is  it  not  the 
restoration  of  his  whole  nature  to  the  full 
image  of  God,  in  which  it  was  at  first  created; 
and  the  recovery  of  that  paradise  which  he 
has  lost  by  the  fall;  a  paradise,  the  glories  of 
which  shall  be  inconceivably  hightened  by  the 
union  of  the  divine  and  human  natures  in  the 
person  of  the  second  Adam,  the  Son  of  God? 
Is  it  not  to  live  forever  with  his  adorable  and 
most  beloved  Savior,  to  be  with  him  where  he 
is,  and  to  behold  the  glory  which  the  Father 
has  given  him?  Is  it  not  to  sit  with  Christ  on 
his  throne,  according  to  his  most  gracious 
promise,  even  as  Christ  sits  with  his  Father 
on  his  throne?  Is  it  not  to  join  the  redeemed 
and  the  innumerable  hosts  of  angels,  in  sing¬ 
ing  continually  alleluiahs,  salvation,  and  glory, 
and  honor,  and  power,  to  God  and  the  Lamb? 
In  short,  is  it  not  to  see  God  face  to  face,  to 
enjoy  the  beatific  vision,  to  experience  an  in- 
conceivably-closer  union  and  communion  with 
God,  than  we  possibly  can  during  the  present 
scene  of  things;  to  be  forever  blest  in  the  close 
embraces  of  the  sovereign  good?  But  can  we 
be  possessors  of  these  mighty  joys  without 
passing  through  the  valley  of  death?  And 
shall  a  Christian  be  afraid  of  that  which  alone 
can  enable  him  to  realize  the  glorious  hope, 
which  is  the  very  support  of  his  life?  Should 
it  not  rather  be  the  language  of  his  soul,  “I 
desire  to  be  dissolved,  and  to  be  with  Christ, 
which  is  far  better?” 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS, 


91 


3.  Death  is  no  more  than  a  quiet  sleep. 
Thus  it  is  frequently  represented  in  the  oracles 
of  God.  “Behold,  thou  shaft  sleep  with  thy 
fathers,”  Deut.  xxxi,  16,  and  2  Sam.  vii,  12. 
“Many  that  sleep  in  the  dust  shall  awake,” 
Dan.  xii,  2.  “Our  friend  Lazarus  sleepeth,” 
John  xi,  11.  “Stephen  fell  asleep,”  Acts  vii, 
60.  “I  would  not  have  you  to  be  ignorant, 
brethren,  concerning  them  which  are  asleep, 
that  ye  sorrow  not  even  as  others,  which  have 
no  hope.  For  if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died 
and  rose  again,  even  so  them  also  which  sleep 
in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him.  For  we 
which  are  alive  and  remain  unto  the  coming 
of  the  Lord,  shall  not  prevent  them  which 
are  asleep,”  1  Thess.  iv,  13,  14,  15.  “Some 
are  fallen  asleep.  They  are  fallen  asleep  in 
Christ,”  1  Cor.  xv,  6,  18.  “The  fathers  fell 
asleep,”  2  Pet.  iii,  4.  The  inspired  writers 
seem  to  delight  in  the  metaphor,  when  applied 
to  the  death  of  the  faithful:  and  what  can  be 
more  expressive?  The  weary  laborer  lays 
himself  down  to  sleep  till  morning,  and  the 
Christian  takes  his  sleep  in  the  grave  till  the 
morning  of  the  resurrection,  only  with  this 
essential  difference:  the  common  sleep  of  na¬ 
ture  deprives  us  of  the  natural  light,  but  the 
sleep  of  death  brings  the  believer  to  the  vision 
of  the  true,  and  otherwise  inaccessible  light. 
Why,  then,  should  the  Christian  be  afraid  of 
death?  Surely,  he  may  take  the  serpent  into 
his  bosom;  for  he  has  not  only  lost  his  sting, 
but  is  reconciled  to  the  believer,  and  become 


92 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


one  of  his  friends.  Therefore,  says  St.  Paul, 
“Whether  life  or  death,  all  is  yours:”  and 
again,  “To  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is 
gain.”  And  well  may  the  Christian  rejoice 
in  death,  and  welcome  the  pleasing  messenger; 
for  it  is  the  hand  of  death  which  draws  the 
curtain,  and  lets  him  in  to  see  God  face  to 
face  in  heaven,  that  palace  of  inestimable 
pleasure  and  delight,  where  the  strongest 
beams  of  glory  shall  beat  fully  upon  our  faces, 
and  we  shall  be  made  strong  enough  to  bear 
them.  Neither  does  death  do  any  real  injury 
to  our  bodies,  since  they  shall  be  new  molded 
at  the  resurrection;  when  “this  mortal  shall 
put  on  immortality,  and  this  corruptible  put 
on  incorruption;”  when  these  dull  lumps  shall 
become  as  impalpable  as  the  angelic  nature, 
subtile  as  a  ray  of  light,  bright  as  the  sun, 
nimble  as  lightning.  Who  is  there,  that  is 
truly  armed  with  this  helmet  of  salvation,  this 
hope  of  heaven,  who  would  for  a  moment  de¬ 
sire  to  have  the  law  of  death  reversed?  Surely 
a  holy  soul  may  frequently  be  breathing  forth 
desires — though  with  due  resignation — after 
the  kind  office  of  death,  to  deliver  it  into  so 
great  and  incomprehensible  a  glory. 

IV.  I  now  proceed,  in  the  fourth  place,  to 
draw  some  inferences  from  what  has  been  ad¬ 
vanced. 

1.  If  death  be  so  certain  and  unavoidable, 
and  it  be  “appointed  unto  men  once  to  die,” 
what  exquisite  folly  is  it  to  suffer  our  affections 
to  cleave  to  any  thing  here  below!  How  pain- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


93 


ful  must  the  parting  be,  when  we  are  drawn 
from  our  dearest  idols,  from  our  chief  joy! 
How  different  is  the  concluding  scene  of  the 
pious  and  the  unregenerate!  Angels  are  wait¬ 
ing  to  receive  the  former,  and  to  accompany 
them  to  their  beloved  Bridegroom,  their  adora¬ 
ble  Lord:  while  devils  are  ready  to  seize  upon 
the  latter,  and  to  bring  them  to  their  place  of 
torment.  Some  of  the  voluptuous  heathens 
were  accustomed  to  bring  in  the  resemblance 
of  an  anatomy  to  their  feasts,  in  order  to  re¬ 
mind  their  guests  of  their  favorite  motto,  “Let 
us  eat  and  drink,  for  to-morrow  we  die:”  let 
us  indulge  ourselves  in  every  pleasure  of  sense, 
since  annihilation  daily  approaches,  and  we 
shall  then  sink  into  an  eternal  sleep.  How 
much  better  is  the  advice  of  the  apostle:  “But 
this  I  say,  brethren,  the  time  is  short.  It  re- 
maineth,  that  both  they  that  have  wives,  be 
as  though  they  had  none;  and  they  that  weep, 
as  though  they  wept  not;  and  they  that  rejoice, 
as  though  they  rejoiced  not;  and  they  that 
buy,  as  though  they  possessed  not;  and  they 
that  use  this  world,  as  not  abusing  it;  for  the 
fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away,”  1  Cor. 
vii,  29-3 1 .  Why  should  any  thing  this  world 
can  allure  us  with,  be  of  any  price  in  a  wise 
man’s  esteem?  Both  they  and  we  perish  in 
the  using:  they  are  dying  comforts;  and  we 
must  die  who  enjoy  them.  And,  therefore, 

2.  As  we  must  all  shortly  die,  let  us  labor 
to  be  always  in  readiness  and  preparation  for 
the  awful  hour.  On  this  head  of  my  discourse 


94 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


I  shall  only  lay  down  a  few  short  directions, 
and  then  proceed  to  the  more  immediate  sub¬ 
ject  of  our  meeting. 

First.  Wean  your  hearts  from  the  love  of 
the  world.  Death  must  and  will  pluck  you 
from  it.  Why,  then,  should  you  toil,  and 
waste  your  lives  on  so  precarious,  so  transitory 
an  object?  Every  thing  below  is  fading;  but 
your  precious  souls  are  immortal.  Be  not, 
therefore,  unequally  yoked;  join  not  your  ever- 
living  souls  to  dying  comforts:  this  would  be 
a  tyranny  worse  than  that -which  was  exercised 
by  those  of  old,  who  tied  dead  carcasses  to  liv¬ 
ing  bodies.  When  you  take  your  eternal  fare¬ 
well  of  all  sublunary  enjoyments,  what  linger¬ 
ing  looks  will  you  cast  on  those  dear  nothings, 
those  miserable  follies,  which  you  clasped 
round  your  heart,  unless  almighty  grace  has 
wrenched  your  affections  from  them:  while  the 
soul  which  is  crucified  to  the  world,  and  the 
world  to  it— which  sits  loose  to  every  thing 
below — spreads  its  wings,  and  takes  its  glad 
flight  to  realms  where  bliss  and  love  immortal 
reign.  Soon  will  the  films  fall  off  from  the 
eyes  of  worldlings.  When  they  stand  before 
the  awful  bar  of  God,  wdth  what  astonishment 
will  they  behold  the  men  whom  they  once 
despised,  shining  as  the  stars  of  the  firmament 
at  the  right  hand  of  the  Judge!  “  They  shall 
be  troubled  with  terrible  fear,  and  shall  be 
amazed  at  the  strangeness  of  the  salvation  of 
the  righteous,  so  far  beyond  all  which  they 
looked  for;  and  repenting  and  groaning  for 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


95 


anguish  of  spirit,  they  shall  say  within  them¬ 
selves,  These  were  they  whom  we  had  some¬ 
times  in  derision,  and  a  proverb  of  reproach. 
We  fools  accounted  their  lives  madness;  and 
their  end  to  be  without  honor.  Now  are  they 
iiumbered  among  the  children  of  God,  and 
their  lot  is  among  the  saints!”  And  then  will 
the  final  separation  take  place;  those  who  were 
here  dead  to  the  world,  and  walked  with  God, 
shall  ascend  up  to  the  marriage  supper  of  the 
Lamb,  and  be  ever  with  their  Lord,  while  the 
others  sink  down  into  the  place  prepared  for 
the  devil  and  his  angels. 

Second.  Would  you  be  prepared  for  death, 
then  delay  not  your  conversion — if  you  be  unre¬ 
generate — for  another  day.  Get  an  interest  in 
Christ  as  soon  as  possible.  By  earnest  prayer 
and  active  faith,  press  into  the  liberty  of  the 
children  of  God.  Remember  Him  who  has 
said,  “Many  shall  seek  to  enter  in,  and  shall 
not  be  able.”  It  is  not  an  empty  wish,  or  lan¬ 
guishing  endeavor,  which  will  serve  the  turn. 
He  that  is  but  almost  a  Christian,  shall  but 
almost  be  saved.  You  must  “strive  to  enter 
in  at  the  strait  gate.”  To  those  who  thus 
knock,  it  shall  certainly  be  opened.  God  de¬ 
lights  to  bless  the  earnestly-seeking  soul. 

Third.  Live  every  day  as  if  it  were  your  last, 
and  the  next  were  allotted  for  eternity.  It 
may  be  so:  and  when  we  consider  the  import¬ 
ance  of  eternal  things,  of  the  everlasting  hap¬ 
piness  of  the  blessed,  and  the  everlasting 
misery  of  the  impenitent,  it  should  lead  us  to 


96  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

leave  nothing  to  the  hazard.  For  there  is  no 
end  of  procrastination.  There  will  be  the 
same  tempting  devil,  the  same  treacherous 
heart  to-morrow  as  to-day,  only  made  more 
treacherous  by  delay.  Therefore,  “now  is  the 
accepted  time,  now  is  the  day  of  salvation. 
Now,  while  it  is  called  to-day,  harden  not  your 
hearts.’ ’  Do  you  think  you  can  be  happy  too 
soon?  Or  do  you  think  that  God  will  accept 
of  the  dregs  of  your  life,  when  you  have  given 
the  strength  of  it  to  vanity,  folly,  and  the 
devil?  Begin,  therefore,  to  live  to  God  every 
day  and  every  hour. 

Fourth.  You,  who  are  believers,  be  constant 
in  the  exercise  of  a  holy  life.  Let  your  fellow¬ 
ship  be  with  the  Father,  and  his  Son  Jesus 
Christ.  Labor  to  walk  in  the  light,  as  God  is 
in  the  light,  and  the  blood  of  Christ  Jesus  his 
Son  shall  cleanse  you  from  all  sin.  Walk  as 
heirs  of  heaven,  led  and  moved  by  the  Spirit 
of  Christ  in  you.  Live  habitually  by  faith  in 
the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  you,  and  gave 
himself  for  you.  Be  much  in  the  exercise  of 
the  presence  of  God;  and  he  will  more  and 
more  smile  upon  you,  and  more  and  more  re¬ 
veal  himself  to  you.  You  shall  be  strong  in 
the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might,  and 
shall  overcome  the  wicked  one:  yea,  you  shall 
be  more  than  conquerors,  through  him  that 
hath  loved  you. 

Fifth.  Lastly,  Take  care  to  preserve  an 
abiding  witness  of  the  favor  of  God.  Watch  to 
prayer  for  this.  There  is  nothing  else  will 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  97 

support  yon  in  the  dying  honr;  there  is  nothing 
else  will  make  you  comfortable  through  life. 
To  retain  a  clear  sense  of  your  interest  in 
Jesus  Christ,  a  constant  assurance  of  the  love 
of  God — 0,  this  will  turn  the  waste  wilderness 
of  the  world  into  a  little  paradise;  it  will 
enable  you  to  triumph  with  the  poet:' 

“  Should  [Providence]  command  me  to  the  farthest  verge 
Of  the  green  earth,  to  distant  barb’rous  climes, 

’Tis  naught  to  me: 

Since  God  is  ever  present,  ever  felt; 

In  the  void  waste  as  in  the  city  full: 

And  where  he  vital  breathes  there  must  be  joy.” 

Above  all,  at  the  hour  of  death,  what  can 
support  us  but  this  mighty  blessing?  and  it 
will  support  the  believer.  For  whom  will  it 
not  comfort  to  think  that  death  will  change  his 
bottle  into  a  spring?  Though  here  our  water 
sometimes  fails  us,  yet,  in  heaven,  where  we 
are  going,  we  shall  bathe  ourselves  in  an  in¬ 
finite  ocean  of  delights,  having  access  to  an 
infinite  fountain  of  life  and  sweetness.  Who¬ 
ever  has  such  an  assurance,  can  not  but  wel¬ 
come  death,  embracing  it  not  only  with  con¬ 
tentment,  but  delight:  and  while  the  soul  is 
struggling  and  striving  to  unclasp  itself,  and 
to  get  loose  from  the  body,  it  can  not  but  say, 
with  holy  longings  and  pantings,  “Come,  Lord 
Jesus,  come  quickly!” 

Y.  I  proceed,  in  the  fifth  and  last  place,  to 
present  you  with  an  epitome  of  the  experience, 
death,  and  character  of  our  deceased  friend, 
Mrs.  Hester  Ann  Rogers. 

She  was  born  at  Macclesfield,  in  Cheshire, 
7 


98 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


on  the  31st  of  January,  1756;  of  which  place 
her  father  was  minister  for  many  years.  She 
was  trained  up  in  the  observance  of  all  out¬ 
ward  duties,  and  in  the  fear  of  those  sins, 
which,  in  these  modern  times,  are  too  often 
deemed  accomplishments.  She  was  followed 
by  divine  impressions  from  her  childhood,  and 
was  early  drawn  out  to  secret  prayer.  From 
four  years  old  she  never,  except  once,  retired 
to  bed  without  saying  her  prayers.  When  she 
wanted  any  thing,  or  was  in  pain,  or  grief,  she 
fled  to  God  in  secret;  and  it  would  be  incredi¬ 
ble  to  some,  how  often  she  received  manifest 
answers  to  prayer  in  that  early  period  of  her 
life. 

In  the  ninth  year  of  her  age,  her  pious  father 
dying,  her  mother  was  prevailed  on  to  let  her 
learn  to  dance,  in  order  to  raise  her  spirits, 
and  improve  her  carriage.  This  was  a  fatal 
stab  to  her  divine  impressions;  it  paved  the 
way  to  lightness,  trifling,  love  of  pleasure,  and 
various  evils.  As  she  soon  made  proflciency, 
she  delighted  much  in  this  insuring  folly.  Yet 
in  all  this  she  was  not  left  without  keen  con¬ 
victions,  gentle  drawings,  and  many  short¬ 
lived  good  resolutions. 

When  she  arrived  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  the 
Lord  visited  her  with  affliction:  during  this  ill¬ 
ness  she  had  an  alarming  dream,  which,  to¬ 
gether  with  the  danger  attending  her  disorder, 
made  a  deep  impression  on  her  mind  for  some 
time.  But,  alas!  her  health  and  strength  were 
no  sooner  restored,  than — being  solicited  by 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  99 

her  companions  in  gay  life — she  again  returned 
to  her  former  follies;  such  as  balls,  plays, 
dress,  assemblies,  etc.,  the  love  of  which  con¬ 
tinued  to  grow  upon  her  more  and  more,  for 
upward  of  two  years,  and  nearly  engrossed  the 
whole  of  her  time. 

After  this  was  deeply  wrought  upon  by  a 
sermon  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Simpson,  of  Mac¬ 
clesfield,  preached  on,  “What  shall  it  profit  a 
man,  if  he  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his 
own  soul?”  And  soon  after  felt  further  con¬ 
victions  under  another  which  he  preached  upon 
the  new  birth,  from  John  iii,  3.  She  now  saw 
and  felt  as  she  had  never  done  before,  that  she 
must  experience  that  divine  change  or  perish. 

In  April,  1774,  on  the  Sunday  before  Easter, 
Mr.  Simpson  preached  from  John  vi,  44,  “No 
man  can  come  unto  me,  except  the  Father, 
which  hath  sent  me,  draw  him.”  Under  this 
sermon  she  felt  herself  indeed  a  lost,  perishing 
sinner;  a  rebel  against  repeated  convictions, 
and,  by  the  law  of  God,  a  condemned  criminal, 
who  deserved  to  be  sentenced  to  eternal  pain! 
She  felt  she  had  broken  her  baptismal  vow, 
her  sacramental  vows,  and  had  no  title  to  any 
mercy  or  any  hope!  She  wept  aloud,  so  that 
all  around  her  were  amazed;  nor  was  she  any 
longer  ashamed  to  own  the  cause.  She  went 
home,  ran  up  stairs,  and  fell  on  her  knees,  and 
made  a  solemn  vow  to  renounce  and  forsake 
all  her  sinful  pleasures  and  trifling  companions. 

She  could  not  eat,  or  sleep,  or  take  any 
comfort.  The  curses  throughout  the  whole 


1 


I 


100 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Bible  seemed  pointed  all  at  her,  and  she  could 
not  claim  a  single  promise.  Thus  she  con¬ 
tinued  till  Good  Friday.  After  many  conflicts 
she  ventured  once  more  to  approach  the  Lord’s 
table.  As  the  minister  was  reading  that  sen¬ 
tence  in  the  communion  service,  “If  any  man 
sin,  we  have  an  Advocate,”  etc.,  a  ray  of  di¬ 
vine  light  was  darted  into  her  soul,  and  she 
was  enabled  to  believe  there  was  mercy  for 
her;  she  felt  a  degree  of  love  to  God  spring 
up  in  her  heart,  and  in  a  measure  could  rejoice 
in  him.  But  alas!  this  was  only  for  a  short 
season!  She  had  never  yet  heard  the  Meth¬ 
odists,  nor  had  she  lost  all  her  prejudices 
against  them;  but  a  neighbor  who  had  lately 
found  peace  with  God,  advised  her  strongly  to 
hear  them:  she  resolved  to  go  privately,  and 
went  accordingly  at  five  o’clock  one  morning. 
The  text  was,  “  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye  my 
people,  saith  your  God.”  She  thought  every 
word  the  preacher  said  was  for  her:  he  spoke 
to  her  heart,  as  if  he  had  known  all  the  secret 
workings  there.  She  was  much  comforted, 
her  prejudices  were  now  fully  removed,  and 
she  received  a  full  and  clear  conviction, 
“these  are  the  people  of  God.” 

She  met  with  a  little  pamphlet,  entitled, 
“The  great  Duty  of  Believing  on  the  Son  of 
God.”  She  was  much  encouraged  on  reading 
this;  and  would  gladly  have  spent  the  night  in 
prayer:  but  her  mother — with  whom  she 
slept — would  not  suffer  it.  She  therefore  went 
to  bed,  but  could  not  sleep;  and  at  four  in  the 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


101 


morning  rose  again,  that  she  might  wrestle 
with  the  Lord  in  prayer.  She  prayed,  but  it 
seemed  in  vain!  the  heavens  appeared  as  brass, 
and  hope  seemed  almost  sunk  into  despair! 
when  suddenly  the  Lord  spoke  that  promise  to 
her  heart:  “Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  thou  shalt  be  saved.”  She  revived,  and 
cried,  “Lord,  I  know  this  is  thy  word,  and  I 
can  depend  upon  it.”  Again  it  came,  “Only 
believe.”  “Lord  Jesus,”  said  she,  “I  will,  I 
do  believe:  I  now  venture  my  whole  salvation 
upon  thee  as  God:  I  put  my  guilty  soul  into 
thy  hands;  thy  blood  is  sufficient!  I  cast  my 
soul  upon  thee  for  time  and  eternity.”  Then 
did  he  appear  to  her  salvation:  in  that  moment 
her  bands  were  loosed:  her  soul  was  set  at 
liberty;  and  the  love  of  God  so  shed  abroad 
in  her  heart,  that  she  rejoiced  with  joy  un¬ 
speakable;  and  for  eight  months  she  expe¬ 
rienced  no  interruption  to  her  bliss.. 

But  now  the  Lord  began  to  reveal  in  her 
heart,  that  sin  was  not  all  destroyed;  for  though 
she  had  constant  victory  over  it,  yet  she  felt 
the  remains  of  anger,  pride,  self-will,  and  un¬ 
belief,  often  rising,  which  occasioned  a  degree 
of  heaviness  and  sorrow.  At  first  she  was 
much  amazed  to  feel  such  things. 

About  this  time  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
make  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Duncan  Wright  a 
great  blessing  to  her.  He  clearly  explained 
the  nature  of  salvation  from  inbred  sin;  and 
showed  it  to  be  as  freely  promised  in  Scripture, 
and  as  fully  purchased  by  the  blood  of  Jesus, 


102  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

as  pardon.  Henceforth  she  could  not  rest,  but 
cried  to  the  Lord  night  and  day,  to  cast  out 
the  strong  man,  and  all  his  armor  of  unbelief 
and  sin. 

On  the  morning  of  February  22,  1776,  when 
at  prayer,  her  intercourse  was  open  with  her 
Beloved,  and  various  promises  wTere  presented 
to  her  view.  She  thought,  “  Shall  I  now  ask 
small  blessings  only  of  my  God?  Lord,  make 
this  the  moment  of  my  full  salvation!  Bap¬ 
tize  me  now  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  fire 
of  pure  love.  How  cleanse  the  thoughts  of 
my  heart,  and  let  me  perfectly  love  thee.” 

Thus  she  continued  agonizing  till  the  Lord 
applied  that  promise,  “I  will  circumcise  thy 
heart,  and  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God 
with  all  thy  heart.”  She  said,  “Lord,  thou 
art  faithful,  and  this  is  thy  word;  I  cast  my 
whole  soul  upon  thy  promise.  How,  Lord,  I 
do  believe;  this  moment  thou  dost  save.  Yea, 
Lord,  my  soul  is  delivered  of  her  burden.  I 
am  emptied  of  all;  I  am  at  thy  feet,  a  help¬ 
less,  worthless  worm;  but  I  take  hold  of  thee 
as  my  fullness!  Every  thing  that  I  want,  thou 
art.  Thou  art  wisdom,  strength,  love,  holi¬ 
ness:  yea,  and  thou  art  mine!  Love  sinks  me 
into  nothing:  it  overflows  my  soul.  0,  my 
Jesus,  thou  art  all  in  all!  In  thee  I  behold 
and  feel  all  the  fullness  of  the  Godhead  mine! 
I  am  now  one  with  God:  the  intercourse  is 
open:  sin,  inbred  sin,  no  longer  hinders  the 
close  communion,  and  God  is  all  my  own!” 

She  now  walked  in  the  unclouded  light  of 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


103 


his  countenance;  and  yet  she  did  not  feel  so 
much  rapturous  joy  as  she  had  been  led  to 
expect,  but  was  rather,  as  it  were,  over¬ 
whelmed  with  that 

“  Sacred  awe,  which  dares  not  move. 

And  all  that  silent  heaven  of  love.” 

She  resolved  at  first  not  to  declare  openly 
what  the  Lord  had  wrought;  but  it  was  seen 
in  her  countenance:  and  when  asked  respecting 
it,  she  durst  not  deny  the  wonders  of  his  love! 
and  she  soon  found  that  repeating  his  goodness 
confirmed  her  own  faith  more  and  more. 

From  this  time  we  may  clearly  perceive  the 
increase  of  her  joy  in  God,  and  her  deep  com¬ 
munion  with  him,  from  her  private*  diary, 
where  she  writes  as  follows: 

“On  Trinity  Sunday,  June,  1776,  I  met  in 
the  select  society  at  six  in  the  morning,  and  it 
was  a  blessed  season  to  my  soul. 

“Mr.  Wright  dwelt  a  little  on  the  equal 
love  of  each  person  in  the  adorable  Trinity,  in 
a  manner  which  I  found  truly  profitable:  after¬ 
ward  he  preached  from  Eph.  ii,  18,  ‘Through 
him  we  both  have  access  by  one  Spirit  unto 
the  Father.’  He  showed  the  distinct  relative 
offices  of  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  in  man’s 
salvation,  and  that  the  love  of  the  Father  was 
ever  equal;  as  also  that  of  the  Son,  and  that 
of  the  Holy  Ghost:  that  all  the  designs  of  the 
Son  were  the  designs  of  the  Father  also,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  also  spoke  much  of 
the  near  union  and  communion  with  God, 
which  believers  might  enjoy,  especially  those 


104 


MRS.  HESTER  ANH  ROGERS. 


perfected  in  love.  My  soul  was  led  into  depths 
unspeakable,  and  saw  such  a  fullness  of  God 
ready  for  me  to  plunge  into,  that  what  I  now 
felt  seemed  only  as  a  drop  compared  with  the 
ocean!  As  I  came  into  the  chapel  yard,  I  felt 
peculiar  union  with  the  adorable  Jesus,  in  all 
his  offices  of  redeeming  love;  and  that  verse 
of  a  hymn  was  so  powerfully  sweet  as  I  had 
never  felt  it  before: 

‘The  opening  heavens  around  me  shine, 

With  beams  of  sacred  bliss; 

While  Jesus  shows  his  mercy  mine, 

And  whispers  I  am  his.’ 

“I  was  deeply  penetrated  with  his  presence, 
and  stood  as  if  unable  to  move,  and  was  in¬ 
sensible  to  all  around  me.  While  thus  lost  in 
communion  with  my  Savior,  he  spoke  those 
words  to  my  heart:  ‘All  that  I  have  is  thine! 
I  am  Jesus,  in  whom  dwells  all  the  fullness  of 
the  Godhead  bodily — I  am  thine!  My  Spirit 
is  thine!  My  Father  is  thine!  They  love 
thee,  as  I  love  thee — the  whole  Deity  is  thine! 
All  God  is,  and  all  he  has,  is  thine!  He  even 
now  overshadows  thee!  He  now  covers  thee 
with  a  cloud  of  his«presence,’  All  this  was 
so  realized  to  my  soul,  in  a  manner  I  can  not 
explain,  that  I  sunk  down  motionless,  being 
unable  to  sustain  the  weight  of  his  glorious 
presence  and  fullness  of  love.  At  the  altar 
this  was  renewed  to  me,  but  not  in  so  large  a 
measure.  I  believe,  indeed,  if  this  had  con¬ 
tinued  as  I  felt  it  before,  but  for  one  hour, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  105 

mortality  must  have  been  dissolved,  and  the 
soul  dislodged  from  its  tenement  of  clay. 

“Friday,  21. — I  prove,  through  boundless 
mercy  and  free  grace,  an  increasing  intercourse 
and  communion  with  my  God  every  day.  I 
live  and  move  in  him  alone!  Wherever  I  go, 
whatever  I  do,  I  feel  the  presence  of  the  great 
Three-One.  ‘Yea,  he  dwelleth  with  me,  and 
shall  be  in  me.’  This  is  his  promise  to  my 
soul.  I  feel  I  am  under  his  loving  eye,  and 
the  continual  guidance  of  his  Spirit.  I  do  in¬ 
deed  dwell  in  God,  and  God  in  me!  0,  love 
unsearchable  to  such  a  worm! 

1 1  loathe  myself  when  God  I  see, 

And  into  nothing  fall!’ 

“Sunday,  23.— In  meeting  with  the  select 
society  again,  I  had  unspeakable  communion 
with  the  blessed  Trinity!  I  had  the  same  at 
the  preaching  also.  Mr.  Percival’s  text  was, 
‘  0  God,  thou  art  my  God/  A  sense  of  the 
Divine  presence  almost  overcame  my  body. 
All  the  day  I  have  been  filled  with  a  solemn 
weight  of  love,  and  swallowed  up  in  God  the 
eternal  Father,  Savior,  Comforter.  At  Church, 
while  that  anthem  was  sung,  ‘  I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  liveth,’  etc.,  I  was  so  overwhelmed 
with  the  power  of  God,  and  had  such  a  fore¬ 
taste  of  his  glory,  I  thought  I  should  have 
died!  *  O,  the  depths  of  his  indulgent,  con¬ 
descending  love!  He  knows  my  trials,  and 
the  need  I  have  of  such  consolations  to 
strengthen  and  support  my  weakness.  I  live 


106  MRS,  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

by  faith — this  is  my  soul’s  .strong  anchor, 
which  lays  hold  on  Omnipotence,  and  every 
moment  receives  a  supply  for  every  want.  My 
God  is  always  near — he  is  my  one  object,  the 
center  and  end  of  all  my  desires.  He  is  my 
all  in  all.” 

After  a  wonderful  chain  of  Divine  leadings 
and  remarkable  providences,  on  August  19, 
1784,  she  was  married  to  Mr.  Rogers,  in  whom 
the  Lord  gave  her  just  such  a  partner  as  she 
needed  to  strengthen  her.  He  made  them  of 
one  heart  and  one  soul;  and  for  above  ten 
years  crowned  their  union  with  his  constant 
smile.  Soon  after  their  marriage  they  went  to 
Dublin,  where  Mr.  Rogers  was  appointed  to 
labor.  In  that  city  they  were  gladly  received, 
and  the  Lord  gave  them  the  hearts  of  the  peo¬ 
ple.  They  saw  a  blessed  revival  of  the  work 
of  God:  and  in  three  years  the  number  in 
society  was  increased  more  than  double. 
From  thence  they  removed  to  Cork,  where 
also  the  Lord  graciously  revived  his  work. 
His  word  greatly  prospered  and  prevailed; 
and  many  in  that  -city  still  remember  with 
gratitude  the  happy  seasons  which  they  en¬ 
joyed  together.  And  it  appears  from  what 
our  dear  friend  wrote  of  herself  when  there, 
that  she  never  before  was  more  happy  in  her 
own  soul,  nor  enjoyed  deeper  communion  with 
her  God,  than  during  her  stay  in  that  city. 
After  spending  three  years  in  Cork,  they  were 
removed  to  London;  and  for  two  years  resided 
in  Mr.  Wesley’s  house  at  the  new  chapel,  City 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


107 


Road;  where  they  also  had  the  happiness  of 
seeing  the  work  of  God  prosper:  many  souls 
were  brought  into  Christian  liberty;  and  in 
two  years,  not  less  than  five  hundred  were 
added  to  the  society  in  the  city  and  suburbs. 
Here,  indeed,  it  might  be  said,  “The  walls  of 
Jerusalem  were  built  in  troublesome  times.” 
The  awful  event  of  Mr.  Wesley’s  death,  which 
happened  during  the  residence  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rogers  at  the  City  Road,  rendered  their 
situation  exceedingly  critical  and  trying,  as 
many  of  you  well  know. 

In  August,  1792,  the  conference  stationed 
Mr.  Rogers  here — at  Spitalfields — in  order  to 
put  this  chapel  and  the  adjoining  dwelling- 
house  into  a  state  of  good  repair;  in  which 
labor  of  love  he  was  truly  indefatigable;  you 
now  reap  the  benefit,  and  are  thankful  that 
you  can  here  retire,  and  worship  God  in 
peace.  Notwithstanding  the  work  necessary 
to  be  done  upon  the  premises  was  great,  yet, 
before  the  end  of  October  Mrs.  Rogers  and 
the  children  were  comfortably  placed  in  their 
new  habitation;  and  a  few  days  afterward  she 
wrote  in  her  diary  as  follows: 

‘  ‘  I  feel  grateful  to  my  God  that  I  am  placed 
here,  though  but  for  a  season:  where  I  can 
enjoy  more  of  retirement,  and  less  of  busy 
life.  My  God  is  with  me,  and  I  trust  he  will 
draw  and  unite  more  fully  to  himself  his  help¬ 
less  creature!  I  have  power  with  him  in 
prayer,  and  I  know  he  will  answer  my  en¬ 
larged  request,  for  myself,  my  other  self,  and 


108 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


our  offspring.  I  long  for  a  yet  larger  meas¬ 
ure  of  the  mind  of  Christ;  more  of  every 
grace,  and  a  deeper  communion  with  my  God. 
All  temptations  respecting  conflicts  with  Satan 
in  death  are  vanished.  I  know  my  Joshua 
will  be  with  me  in  Jordan,  and  see  me  safely 
through!  Sometimes  I  have  thought  I  shall 
have  to  pass  that  river  before  it  be  long;  but 
that  I  leave  to  him.  I  feel  no  desire  of  life, 
except  when  I  see  my  dear  husband  oppressed 
with  trials,  and  my  living  seems  as  if  it  would 
be  a  help  and  comfort  to  him;  or,  when  a 
silent  wish  arises,  to  see  my  children  grown, 
and  partakers  of  regenerating  grace;  but  I  am 
kept  from  anxiety.” 

“The  Leeds  conference  drawing  near,  my 
dear  partner  left  me  on  July  21st,  and  in  the 
night  after,  my  Hester  was  seized  with  a  ma¬ 
lignant  fever.  The  weather  was  uncommonly 
hot;  and  what  my  fatigue  and  weakness  were, 
my  God  only  knows!  But  he  held  me  up  that 
I  did  not  sink;  and  my  soul  was  happy  in  his 
love.  In  this  time  of  affliction  I  had  peculiar 
intercourse  with  God  in  prayer,  both  with  the 
family  and  in  secret;  and  I  received  manifest 
answers.  On  the  seventh  day  the  fever  came 
to  a  crisis- — my  child  was  quite  delirious,  and 
very  ill  indeed;  but  I  felt  fully  resigned  to  the 
will  of  God  respecting  her  life  or  death.  About 
nine  in  the  evening,  her  piercing  cries,  through 
agonizing  pain  in  her  head,  were  very  pitiable; 
and  I  entreated  the  Lord,  in  the  prayer  of 
faith,  to  give  her  ease.  He  heard — he  an- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


109 


swered!  The  pain  was  instantaneously  re¬ 
moved,  and  she  fell  into  a  slumber;  but  it 
soon  appeared  to  be  the  sleep  of  death!  Her 
feet,  legs,  and  hands  were  cold,  her  nails 
blue,  and  she  was  motionless  till  a  little  past 
four  in  the  morning.  Just  then  a  blister 
which  I  had  put  on  her  back  began  to  rise, 
and  signs  of  life  appeared;  by  degrees  warmth 
returned  to  her  arms,  hands,  and  feet;  then 
motion,  and  lastly  speech.  After  this,  a 
mighty  change  appeared:  her  fever  was  gone, 
and  the  next  day  she  sat  up  some  hours,  and 
continued  to  recover  in  a  most  wonderful  man¬ 
ner.  What  can  not  the  Lord  do?  Upon  the 
whole,  when  I  look  back,  I  can  only  wonder 
and  adore!  repeating  with  the  poet, 

‘I  stand  and  admire  thy  outstretch’d  arm, 

Having-  walk’d  through  the  fire,  and  suffer’d  no  harm.’ 

“Out  of  weakness  surely  I  have  been 
made  strong,  both  as  it  respects  body  and 
soul.  What  a  feeble  frame!  Yet,  how  am  I 
strengthened  of  the  Lord,  to  bear  fatigue, 
loss  of  rest,  and  painful  sensations!  How 
helpless  and  unworthy;  yet  comforted  in  my 
God — strengthened  to  do  his  will;  to  offer  up 
my  child,  and  with  entire  resignation  to  say, 
‘  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him 
good!’  How  sweet  also  my  prospects  of  a  glo¬ 
rious  eternity!  and  when  weakest,  no  gloomy 
fears  of  entering  those  abodes;  but  the  blessed 
testimony,  that  where  Jesus  is — ‘My  Lord 
and  my  God!’ — there  shall  his  servant  be, 
and  shall  see  his  face — ‘his  Godhead  without 


110 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


a  vail,  wrapped  up  in  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit, 
for  evermore.’  ” 

Upon  leaving  London,  she  writes  as  follows: 

“Sunday,  September  1. — I  heard  Mr.  Rog¬ 
ers  at  the  City  Road  Chapel  in  the  morning, 
and  had  a  blessed  season.  He  also  preached 
at  Spitalfields  in  the  evening,  from,  ‘Finally, 
brethren,  farewell.’  The  singers  at  both  places 
took  leave  by  hymns  adapted  to  the  occasion, 
very  sweet  and  affecting.  A  mixture  of  love 
and  friendly  grief,  together  with  deep  grati¬ 
tude  to  God,  filled  my  soul.  Lord,  remember 
this  dear  people  with  tenfold  blessings!  On 
the  two  following  days,  the  simple-hearted 
affection  shown  by  very  many  of  God’s  dear 
children,  affected  me  much.  I  saw  my  dear 
and  only  brother  on  Tuesday  evening.  I  felt 
much  at  parting.  I  think  we  shall  not  meet 
again  on  earth.  After  this  I  called  upon  our 
valuable  friends,  Tooth,  Whitefield,  Jones,  and 
several  others;  and  then  hastened  to  meet  my 
dear  husband  at  our  kind  friend’s,  Mr.  Senols, 
where  we  supped.  0  thou  God  of  love,  pre¬ 
serve  these  till  we  meet  them  all  again,  where 
pain  and  parting  are  no  more!  On  Wednes* 
day  we  timed  at  Mr.  Ball’s?  and  then  has¬ 
tened  in  a  coach,  with  our  children,  to  Mr. 
T.  Shakspeare’s,  in  Smithfield.  It  was  Bar¬ 
tholomew’s  fair;  and  such  a  scene,  or  rather 
manifold  scenes  of  folly,  my  eyes  never  be¬ 
held,  as  were  exhibited  where  once  dying 
martyrs  for  Jesus  offered  up  their  latest 
breath!  With  difficulty,  but,  thank  God! 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Ill 


with  safety,  we  got  through.  I  found  my¬ 
self  very  weak,  and  expected  to  faint;  but 
I  had  not  been  long  in  the  coach  before  I 
was  better.  Through  much  mercy  we  arrived 
next  day  at  Birmingham,  where  our  friends 
received  us  kindly.  On  the  ensuing  Sabbath, 
Mr.  Rogers  preached  from,  ‘  I  determined  not 
to  know  any  thing  among  you,  save  Jesus 
Christ,  and  him  crucified.’  The  word  was 
with  power,  and  my  soul  was  greatly  com¬ 
forted.” 

It  was  thought  a  change  of  air  and  situa- 
tion  would  be  useful  to  our  dear  friend,  and 
a  means,  under  God,  of  strengthening  her 
delicate  constitution;  but  a  very  obstinate 
complaint,  with  which  she  was  attacked  near 
three  years  before  her  dissolution,  baffled  all 
human  skill,  and  repelled  the  force  of  every 
medicine,  and  never  left  her  till  the  day  of 
her  death.  During  the  last  three  or  four 
months  of  her  life,  out  of  various  other  things 
which  she  wrote,  the  following  are  extracted: 

“Since  I  came  to  Birmingham  the  Lord 
has  been  very  present  with  me:  I  have  indeed 
been  fed  with  the  hidden  manna  of  his  love! 
I  have  been  peculiarly  drawn  out  in  prayer 
for  the  conversion  of  souls;  and  notwithstand¬ 
ing  the  enemy  has  labored  by  various  means 
to  hinder  this,  yet  the  Lord  has  given  me  to 
rejoice  also  herein.  I  feel  my  soul  animated 
to  praise  my  great  Source  of  bliss!  May  all 
I  have,  and  all  I  am,  be  his  devoted  sacrifice 
forever!  I  feel  it  good  to  live  by  faith:  it 


112  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

brings  deep  peace  and  present  power.  I  never 
can  watch  so  well  as  when  I  thus  momentarily 
believe.  I  have  of  late  felt  very  poorly  in 
body;  and  have  had  a  degree  of  dullness 
hanging  on  my  spirit;  but  I  fly  to  the  Lord; 
I  wrestle  with  him  for  its  removal;  and  I  ever 
find  he  is  a  present  God  when  I  call  upon 
him.  And  0!  how  he  opens  his  ‘heaven  of 
love’  afresh  in  my  soul,  by  giving  me  un¬ 
speakable  views  of  what  Jesus  suffered  in  the 
body  for  me!  and  the  love  and  sympathy  he 
still  feels  to  every  suffering  member.  I  have 
felt  of  late  a  deepening  of  the  graces  of  faith, 
resignation,  and  entire  dependence  on  God. 
And  0 !  how  good  is  the  Lord,  that  he  should 
thus  prepare  me  for  what  he  knew  would 
touch  me  in  the  tenderest  part. 

“After  a  very  restless  night,  my  dear  Patty 
broke  out  very  full  of  the  small-pox;  and  for 
a  fortnight  I  had  much  exercise  for  faith  and 
patience.  But  this  was  very  little  to  what  I 
felt  on  the  return  of  my  dearest  husband  from 
Barr,  where — on  May  19,  1793 — he  had  a  kind 
of  apoplectic  fit.  He  fell  down  as  suddenly 
as  if  he  had  been  shot — and  still  continues 
very  unwell.  Yet,  in  secret  prayer,  the  Lord 
assured  me  he  should  not  die  at  this  time,  but 
live!  0!  what  should  I  do  at  a  time  like  this, 
if  I  had  not  a  constant  intercourse  with  God? 
But  blessed  be  his  dear  name,  I  have  access 
to  him.  He  is  -indeed  my  refuge  and  strength, 
a  very  present  help  in  trouble;  ajid  fills  my 
soul  with  strong  consolation. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  113 

“July  15,  1794. — For  some  time  I  have 
felt  a  desire,  if  the  Lord  saw  good,  to  accom¬ 
pany  my  dear  husband  to  the  Bristol  confer¬ 
ence.  It  would  be  a  gratification  to  see  the 
dear  children;  but  much  more  do  I  desire  to 
go  on  account  of  my  dear  partner’s  health, 
who  has  not  yet  recovered  from  his  late  at¬ 
tack.  I  was  in  suspense,  however,  till  this 
day,  whether  I  could  go  or  not;  but  now  I 
see  an  opening  in  providence;  and  the  Lord 
assures  me  he  will  preserve  my  going  out 
and  coming  in;  and  greatly  comforts  my  soul. 
On  Tuesday,  22d,  we  sat  off  at  four  in  the 
morning,  with  Mr.  Pawson,  and  as  many 
more  of  the  preachers  as  the  coach  could 
contain.  We  had  a  comfortable  journey;  so 
that  I  was  astonished  to  feel  no  more  fatigued 
when,  about  ten  o’clock,  we  arrived  at  our 
kind  friend’s,  Mr.  Ilartland.  We  had  also  a 
refreshing  sleep,  and  arose,  both  of  us,  in 
better  health  than  when  we  left  home.  May 
I  deeply  feel  my  many  mercies  as  so  many 
various  pledges  of  my  Father’s  love!  We 
found  our  three  sweet  boys,  thank  God!  all 
in  health,  and  overjoyed  at  seeing  us.  Joseph 
is  making  swift  progress  in  the  printing  busi¬ 
ness,  and  likely  to  make  an  excellent  work¬ 
man.  Benjamin  is  approved  by  his  master, 
beloved  by  his  school-fellows,  and,  above  all, 
I  trust  he  truly  fears  God.  My  James  is  very 
childish — he  is  but  eight  years  old — yet  I 
think  I  see  in  him  the  dawnings  of  a  noble 
spirit;  which,  if  governed  by  grace,  will  one 
8 


114 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


day  give  us  comfort  in  him  also,  and  make 
him  a  blessing  to  thousands. 

“  After  different*  scenes  and  manifold  con¬ 
solations  during  the  time  of  conference,  on 
August  10th,  we  arose  before  three  o’clock  in 
the  morning,  and  set  off  at  four,  on  our  jour¬ 
ney  home.  Our  friends  were  very  affection¬ 
ate,  and  our  dear  children  also  got  up  to  see 
us  set  off,  and  we  left  them  all  well,  though 
sorrowful  to  part.  I  claimed  my  Lord’s  prom¬ 
ise  to  preserve  me  in  coming  in,  as  in  going 
out;  and  I  proved  him  faithful.  He  did  won¬ 
derfully  strengthen  my  poor  body,  and  sustain 
my  soul  with  his  heart-felt  presence.  We  ar¬ 
rived  safely  in  our  habitation  by  nine  in  the 
evening,  and  found  the  three  children  we  had 
left  all  well. 

During  the  few  remaining  weeks  of  her  life, 
she  continued  to  breathe  the  following  sweet 
language  of  a  saint  truly  ripe  for  heaven: 

“Monday,  September  1. — I  had  a  good 
day;  my  intercourse  with  Heaven  is  truly 
open,  and  my  soul  staid  upon  my  God. 
Tuesday,  2d,  was  a  blessed  day  of  nearness 
to  God.  His  word  was  precious  food;  and 
I  found  my  heart  enlarged  in  praise  and  love. 
Wednesday,  3d,  was  also  a  day  of  inward  com¬ 
fort,  though  of  bodily  weakness.  I  had  a  very 
precious  time  in  meeting  my  class.  And  al¬ 
though  the  poor  sinners  were  baiting  a  bull 
by  the  window,  I  believe  all,  as  well  as  my¬ 
self,  so  felt  the  Divine  presence  as  not  to  be 
disturbed  by  the  rabble.  Thursday,  4th,  I  had 


MES.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  115 

much  pain,  and  little  sleep  in  the  night,  which 
in  some  degree  has  weakened  the  animal  frame; 
but  I  feel  peace  in  my  God.  Friday,  5. — I  be¬ 
lieve,  in  answer  to  prayer,  I  had  refreshing 
sleep,  and  was  better  in  body  this  day,  and 
my  soul  was  comforted  in  God.”  Thus  she 
goes  on  from  day  .to  day,  expressing  the  same 
unshaken  confidence  and  comfort  in  her  God, 
even  till  she  could  write  and  speak  no  more! 
The  last  words  she  was  able  to  write  in  her 
journal  are  these:  “  My  body  is  very  poorly, 
and  has  been  so  most  of  the  week.  0!  what 
a  clog  to  the  immortal  spirit!  Yet  I  am  kept 
in  a  praying,  depending,  resigned  frame;  de¬ 
termined  to  trust  my  God  with  my  all.” 

On  the  10th  of  October,  1794,  she  gave 
birth  to  a  son;  after  which  she  lay  composed 
for  more  than  half  an  hour,  with  heaven  in 
her  countenance,  praising  God  for  his  great 
mercy,  and  expressing  her  gratitude  to  all 
around  her.  She  took  Mr.  Rogers  by  the 
hand,  and  said,  ‘.‘My  dear,  the  Lord  has  been 
very  kind  to  us;  0  he  is  good,  indeed  he  is 
good!  But  I’ll  tell  you  more  by  and  by.” 
She  thanked  the  doctor,  and  told  him  she 
would  remember  his  kindness  and  attention 
another  day,  and  expressed  her  entire  satisfac¬ 
tion  in  all  he  had  done.  But,  alas!  in  a  few 
minutes  after  this,  her  whole  frame  was  thrown 
into  a  state  of  agitation  not  to  be  described. 
A  medicine  just  then  arrived  from  the  doctor, 
which  she  took;  but  all  in  vain.  After  a 
severe  struggle  for  about  fifteen  minutes. 


H6  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

bathed  all  over  with  a  clammy,  cold  sweat, 
she  laid  her  head  on  her  husband’s  bosom, 
and  said,  “I  am  going.”  Mr.  Rogers,  recov¬ 
ering  a  little  from  the  dreadful  feelings  he  had 
experienced,  found  a  desire  to  propose  a  ques¬ 
tion  or  two  to  his  dear  wife,  relative  to  the 
state  of  her  soul;  not  for  his  own  satisfaction; 
for — as  he  observed  to  me — he  could  as  soon 
call  in  question  the  truth  of  revelation,  and  of 
all  religious  experience  from  the  beginning,  as 
doubt  of  her  eternal  happiness:  but  he  did 
this  that  God  might  be  glorified,  as  in  her  life, 
so  by  her  death.  In  the  presence  of  many  of 
her  friends  who  were  standing  by,  he  said  to 
her,  “  My  dearest  creature,  is  Jesus  precious?” 
She  replied,  “Yes,  0  yes,  yes.”  He  added, 
“My  dearest  love,  I  know  Jesus  Christ  has 
long  been  your  all  in  all;  can  you  now  tell  us 
he  is  so?”  She  replied,  “I  can — he  is — yes — 
but  I  am  not  able  to  speak.”  He  again  said, 
“0,  my  dearest,  it  is  enough.”  She  then 
attempted  to  lift  up  her  face  £o  his,  and  kissed 
him  with  her  quivering  lips  and  latest  breath. 
About  ten  o’clock,  in  the  full  hope  of  eternal 
life,  she  gently  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  in  the  thir¬ 
ty-ninth  year  of  her  age,  leaving  her  inanimate 
clay  in  her  dearest  husband’s  arms,  and  seven 
children  to  lament  their  unspeakable  loss. 

Thus  lived  and  thus  died  one  of  the  best  of 
women.  Almost  every  thing  that  is  good  may 
be  said  of  her,  if  she  be  viewed  as  a  daughter, 
a  wife,  a  mother,  a  friend,  a  private  Christian, 
or  as  a  public  person,  particularly  as  a  leader 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  117 

of  classes  and  bands  in  the  Methodist  society. 
Almighty  grace,  to  which  alone  be  ascribed 
all  the  glory,  got  to  itself  indeed  a  victory  in 
this  amiable  woman. 

Pier  filial  duty  was  hardly  to  be  exceeded. 
While  she  indulged  herself  in  those  pleasures 
which  the  world  calls  innocent,  but  which  the 
children  of  God  in  all  ages  have  known  to  be 
inconsistent  with  vital  religion,  she  enjoyed  the 
smiles  of  her  mother,  and  of  a  flattering  world. 
But  no  sooner  did  she  become  a  confessor  of 
Christ,  but  the  clouds  of  persecution  lowered, 
and  afterward  fell  upon  her  with  great  severity. 
Pier  mother  not  only  confined  her  for  a  con¬ 
siderable  time,  but  at  last  gave  her  the  alter¬ 
native  of  leaving  her  house,  or  of  becoming 
her  -proper  servant.  She  preferred  the  latter; 
and,  though  brought  up  in  the  most  delicate 
manner,  and  of  a  very  respectable  family,  she 
submitted  to  the  trial,  and  for  several  months 
went  through  all  her  toils  with  a  patience  and 
meekness  not  to  be  shaken.  Her  mother  find¬ 
ing  her  incorrigibly  pious  and  steady, „to  her 
God — enthusiastic,  as  her  mother  would  have 
termed  it — for  the  sake  of  her  own  honor, 
raised  her  again  to  the  privileges  of  a  child.' 
But  all  this  time  Miss  Roe  discovered  nothing 
but  the  hight  of  filial  affection;  and  continued 
so  to  do  in  every  instance  till  her  mother’s 
death. 

Her  conjugal  affection  was  equally  great 
and  steady;  and  indeed — as  may  be  observed 
from  what  has  been  already  said — Mr.  Rogers 


118 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


stood  in  need  of  such  a  helpmeet  for  him. 
"When  he  was  stationed  in  London,  his  steady 
attachment  to  the  Methodist  discipline  raised 
np  many  powerful  and  hitter  enemies  against 
him.  His  sufferings  were  inexpressible,  and 
his  constitution  very  much  impaired  thereby; 
though  at  the  same  time  it  must  be  observed, 
that  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  was  granted 
him  by  the  Methodist  conference,  for  his  exer¬ 
tions  and  his  immovable  patience  and  forti¬ 
tude  in  defense  of  Methodism.  Mrs.  Rogers 
was,  to  my  knowledge,  during  those  three 
years  of  severe  trial,  his  support  indeed.  More 
true  conjugal  love  oould  not,  I  think,  be  man¬ 
ifested  by  a  wife  to  her  husband,  than  was  by 
her,  both  at  that  time,  and,  I  verily  believe, 
upon  all  occasions.  It  seems  probable  that 
she  had  received  some  presentiment  of  her  ap¬ 
proaching  death;  which  appears  to  be  proved 
by  a  copy  of  verses  which  were  found  among 
some  of  her  choice  papers  a  little  after  her 
death.  Those  glowing  effusions,  which  may 
be  expected  to  flow  from  the  heart  of  a  most 
affectionate  wife,  are  so  evidently  displayed  in 
these  lines,  that  I  transcribe  the  whole: 

“My  hour  is  come,  and  angels  round  me  wait, 

To  take  me  to  their  glorious  happy  state; 

Where,  free  from  sickness,  death  and  every  pain, 

I  shall  with  God  in  endless  pleasures  reign. 
Transporting  thought!  thou  dearest  man,  adieu! 

I  feel  no  sorrow  but  in  leaving  you; 

O  thou,  my  comfort,  thought,  and  only  care, 

In  these  last  words  thy  kindness  I’ll  declare. 

In  truth,  in  constancy,  in  faithful  love, 

Few  could  you  equal,  none  superior  prove; 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


119 


Compell’d  by  frequent  sickness  to  complain, 

You  strove  to  lessen  and  t’  assuage  my  pain. 

More  I  would  say,  my  gratitude  to  own, 

But  breath  forsakes  me,  and  my  pulse  is  gone: 

Adieu,  dear  man! - O  spare 

This  flood  of  grief,  and  of  thy  health  take  care. 

My  blessing  to  my  babes;  thou  wilt  be  kind 
To  the  dear  infants  whom  I  leave  behind; 

Tx'ain  them  to  virtue,  piety,  and  truth, 

And  form  their  manners  early  in  their  youth. 

Farewell  to  all  who  now  on  me  attend, 

The  faithful  servant,  and  the  weeping  friend  ; 

The  time  is  short  till  we  shall  meet  again, 

With  Christ,  to  share  the  glories  of  his  reign.” 

Her  maternal  care  and  affection  shone 
equally  bright.  Though  she  devoted  much 
of  her  time  to  religious  duties  in  public  and 
private,  yet  nothing  seemed  to  be  left  undone 
which  could  make  her  children  comfortable 
and  happy.  She  even  prevented  all  their 
wants;  and  was  equally,  nay,  if  it  were  possi¬ 
ble,  more  attentive  to  Mr.  Rogers’  children  by 
his  former  wife  than  to  her  own.  To  the 
whole  of  them  she  delighted  to  give  “  precept 
upon  precept,  precept  upon  precept,  line  upon 
line,  line  upon  line,  here  a  little  and  there  a 
little!”  watering  the  whole  of  her  labors  upon 
them  with  many  tears,  and  daily  fervent 
prayers. 

As  a  friend,  she  was  faithful,  and  immova¬ 
ble  in  her  attachments:  nothing  but  her  friends 
forsaking  God,  could  induce  her  to  abate  her 
love  for  them.  She  was  formed  for  society, 
and  possessed  the  most  delicate  feelings  which 
could  arise  from  the  social  principle.  And 


120 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


when  some  of  her  dearest  intimates  treated 
her  with  neglect,  on  accoun|  of  some  disputes 
in  the  connection,  with  which  they  had  nothing 
to  do,  she  could  still  weep,  and  love,  and  pray 
for  them,  not  as  unworthy  of  her  friendship,  or 
of  the  favor  of  God,  but  as  led  away  from  her 
by  misinformation  and  error  of  understanding, 
and  perhaps  also  by  some  deviations  from  the 
perfect  love  of  God. 

But  her  greatest  excellence  consisted  in  the 
enjoyment  of  her  God.  A  very  considerable 
part  of  her  life  evidenced,  that  salvation  from 
sin,  and  salvation  from  sufferings,  are  very 
different  things.  Her  firm  patience  under  deep 
afflictions  has  been  rarely,  if  ever,  exceeded. 
Her  sufferings  on  some  occasions  were  very 
exquisite;  but  her  conduct  at  such  times  aston¬ 
ished  all  who  were  near  her.  Her  spirits  were 
astonishingly  good  at  all  times.  She  hardly 
ever  in  her  life  was  in  what  is  generally  termed 
low  spirits.  She  was  ever  cheerful,  never 
light;  and  always  ready  to  lift  up  the  hands 
of  her  husband  and  her  friends,  and  to  en¬ 
courage  their  hearts.  She  enjoyed  for  many 
years  that  glorious  blessing,  which  St.  John  in 
the  fourth  chapter  of  his  first  epistle  speaks 
of  as  his  own  experience,  and  that  of  many 
of  whom  he  was  writing — that  “perfect  love 
of  God  which  casteth  out  all  fear  that  hath 
torment.”  In  short,  she  walked  with  God; 
she  lived  in  the  blaze  of  Gospel  day,  and 
Christ  was  her  all  in  all. 

And  as  a  public  person  she  was  useful  in  a 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  121 

high  degree.  She  never,  indeed,  assumed  the 
authority  of  teaching  in  the  church;  but  she 
visited  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  afflic¬ 
tion,  and  delighted  to  pour  out  her  soul  in 
prayer  for  them.  Very  many  dying  persons 
entered  into  the  liberty  of  God’s  children 
under  her  prayers  and  exhortations;  for  she 
possessed  a  peculiar  gift  in  bringing  a  pres¬ 
ent  salvation  home  to  the  soul.  The  profit 
received,  in  Macclesfield  from  her  holy  conver¬ 
sation  for  years  before  she  married,  induced 
pious  and  mourning  souls  to  visit  her;  and  a 
very  considerable  part  of  her  time  was  daily 
spent  in  answering  cases  of  conscience,  spread¬ 
ing  forth  the  loveliness  and  excellences  of 
Christ  to  penitents,  and  in  building  up  be¬ 
lievers  in  their  most  holy  faith.  She  then  was 
a  leader  of  classes  and  bands,  and  a  mother  in 
Israel  to  the  young  believers  intrusted  to  her 
care.  After  her  marriage,  she  still  became 
more  extensively  useful.  Mr.  Rogers,  on  his 
entering  into  a  circuit,  would  only  give  a  few 
to  her  care,  desiring  her  to  complete  the  class 
out  of  the  world;  and  soon,  by  her  conversa¬ 
tion  and  prayers,  and  attention  to  every  soul 
within  her  reach,  would  the  number  spring  up 
to  thirty  or  forty;  and  then  her  almost  cruel 
husband,  in  this  respect,  for  the  glory  of  God, 
would  transplant  all  the  believers  to  other 
classes,  and  keep  her  thus  continually  working 
for  the  Lord.  In  the  city  of  Dublin  alone, 
Mr.  Rogers  himself  confesses  some  hundreds 
of  those  whom  he  received  into  society,  were 


122  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

brought  to  Christ,  or  were  awakened,  by  her 
gentle,  but  incessant  labors  of  love.  In  Cork 
also,  and  in  London,  a  similar  success  attended 
her  pious  exertions.  Thus  did  the  Lord  mold 
this  blessed  woman  into  his  image,  as  the  pot¬ 
ter  does  his  clay,  and  use  her  for  his  glory,  as 
the  ready  writer  does  his  pen,  till  she  had 
served  him  in  her  generation,  and  he  said  to 
her,  It  is  enough,  come  up  higher. 

GO,  AND  DO  THOU  LIKEWISE. 


APPENDIX 

TO  MRS.  ROGERS’  FUNERAL  SERMON. 

WRITTEN  BY  HER  HUSBAND. 

As  this  tremendous  stroke  of  divine  Provi¬ 
dence  has  wounded  me  in  the  tenderest  nerve, 
I  hope  any  irregularity  of  thought,  or  impro¬ 
priety  of  expression,  however  censurable  on 
other  occasions,  will  be  pardoned  by  the  candid 
reader  in  the  present  instance;  especially  as 
he  will  perceive,  in  the  preceding  sermon,  that 
mine  is  more  than  a  common  loss. 

The  valuable  pamphlet  lately  published  by 
my  dear  companion,  which  contains  a  clear 
account  of  her  experience  from  her  childhood, 
supersedes  many  remarkable  occurrences 
which  should  otherwise  have  followed  in  this 
supplement;  and  as  that  little  performance 
either  is,  or  may  be,  in  the  possession  of  any 
friend  who  desires  it,  I  am  unwilling  to  say 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  123 

the  same  things  which  are  ranged  there  in  a 
better  manner  than  I  am  able  to  arrange  them, 
under  my  present  circumstances.  If  what 
follows  is  made  useful  to  any  of  my  friends, 
the  return  I  desire  is  a  constant  interest  in 
their  sympathetic  prayers,  that  I  may  be  sup¬ 
ported  under  my  irreparable  loss,  and  enabled 
to  conduct  myself  in  all  things,  during  this 
most  trying  scene,  not  like  a  stoic,  but  as  a 
Christian. 

My  dear  companion  was  certainly  one  of 
the  best  of  wives.  Her  feeling  sympathy  and 
faithful  love  were,  I  believe,  seldom  equaled, 
and  never  exceeded.  With  hers  my  soul  still 
feels,  as  it  were,  entwined  and  interwoven. 
She  was,  under  God,  the  center  and  constant 
spring  of  all  my  domestic  happiness.  In  her 
I  have  not  only  lost  one  of  the  most  valuable 
and  faithful  wives,  but  my  dear  children,  at 
the  same  time,  are  bereft  of  a  most  tender, 
affectionate  parent,  who  always  had  their 
interest  and  happiness  at  heart. 

But  what  is  incomparably  more  afflictive 
still  to  me,  I  have  lost,  in  her,  my  best  help 
in  spiritual  things!  She  always  gave  me  un¬ 
common  assistance  in  my  labors,  and  greatly 
soothed  all  my  cares  and  anxieties  for  the 
Church,  in  weal  or  woe.  She  was  ever  my 
comforteryn  the  time  of  sorrow.  The  even¬ 
ness  of  her  temper,  and  the  cheerfulness  of 
her  disposition,  both  in  sickness  and  in  health, 
were  wonderful!  I  never  saw,  for  one  mo¬ 
ment,  any  thing  like  gloom  in  her  counte- 


« 


124  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

nance;  neither  do  I  remember  one  trifling 
word  ever  to  drop  from  her  lips;  but,  on  the 
contrary,  she  was  always  ready  for  spiritual 
conversation;  and  no  company  pained  her 
mind  equal  to  that  where  religious  subjects 
were  unpleasing  or  impracticable.  Witness 
her  own  words,  soon  after  our  arrival  in 
Dublin: 

“Mrs. - -  invited  us  to  dinner,  where  we 

met  with  much  gay  company.  Dr. - took 

up  the  attention  of  the  whole,  with  his  tri¬ 
fling,  ridiculous  conversation,  so  that  it  was  a 
very  unprofitable  season;  and  I  cried  to  the 
Lord  in  my  spirit,  that  we  might  have  no 
more  such  visits  as  these!”  And,  thank  God, 
we  had  no  more  such  while  we  continued  in 
that  city;  but,  on  the  contrary,  our  visits,  in 
general,  were  serious,  spiritual,  and  profitable; 
so  that,  some  time  afterward,  she  remarks: 

“We  dined  with  Mr.  S.,  and  Mr.  Henry 
Brook  was  with  us.  He  appears  to  be  a  man 
of  deep  piety,  and  the  conversation  was  prof¬ 
itable.  Blessed  be  God,  all  our  visits,  since 
the  first,  have  been  more  to  his  glory!  My 
soul  feels  much  nearness  to  the  people,  and  a 
sweet  assurance  we  shall  be. blessed  among 
them,  and  made  a  blessing.  0,  for  a  heart- 
reviving  shower  of  grace,  and  pentecostal 
blessings!  The  Lord,  I  know,  sent  us  here; 
and  surely,  it  is  for  the  good  of  souls.  My 
God,  let  this  be  promoted,  and  thou  shalt 
have  the  endless  praise!” 

Such  was  our  union  of  soul  and  sentiment, 


MRS. 'HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


125 


that  the  secrets  of  our  hearts  were  always 
open  to  each  other.  And  it  is  no  small  con¬ 
solation  to  me,  that  I  had  one  upon  earth  so 
dear  to  God,  who  both  knew  and  approved 
of  all  the  motives  from  which  I  acted  in  pub¬ 
lic,  as  well  as  in  private  life.  Hence  it  was, 
that  from  a  conviction  of  her  duty  to  God, 
she  was  ever  ready  to  resist  the  unkindness  of 
my  opponents,  and  warn  me  against  the  craft¬ 
iness  of  pretended  friends!  and  her  penetra¬ 
tion  herein  was  astonishing,  so  that  I  do  not 
remember  I  ever  relied  upon  her  judgment,  or 
acted  by  her  advice,  but  I  found  it  good. 

As  to  her  literary  abilities,  they  were  rather 
out  of  the  common  way.  She  had  a  critical 
knowledge  of  the  English  tongue;  and  her 
application  to  reading  from  her  infancy  made 
her  capable  of  conversing  upon  almost  any 
subject,  whether  of  a  historical,  philosophical, 
or  theological  nature. 

With  respect  to  the  labors  of  her  pen,  she 
was,  of  all  I  ever  knew  among  her  sex,  the 
most  assiduous.  Writing  seemed  to  be  her 
peculiar  talent;  and  she  took  great  delight 
therein,  even  from  her  childhood.  And  yet 
she  never,  on  that  account,  or,  indeed,  on  any 
other,  once  neglected  any  part  of  her  domes¬ 
tic  duty.  She  might  be  truly  said  to  husband 
her  time,  in  order  to  improve  this  talent. 
While  I  was  absent  an  hour  one  morning — 
and  although  she  was  prevented  by  sickness 
from  accompanying  me — upon  my  return 
she,  with  her  usual  smile,  presented  me 


126 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


with  the  following  acrostic  upon  our  marriage 
union: 

41 J  esus,  the  source  supreme  of  our  delight, 

A  nd  soul  of  all  our  joys,  of  all  our  might, 

M  ade  us  of  twain  inseparably  one, 

E  ver  to  love  as  he  hath  loved  his  own, 

S  o  may  we  love — as  Jesus  loves  his  bride, 

A  nd  nothing  shall  his  love  from  her  divide; 

JNT  othing  make  twain  the  souls  whom  God  hath  joined; 

D  eath  only  leaves  mortality  behind. 

H  eaven  shall  complete  our  union  here  begun, 

Endless  as  vast  eternal  circles  run. 

S  ay,  shall  not  then  thy  spirit  join  in  mine, 

T  o  praise  the  wonders  of  the  plan  divine? 

E  ach  vie  with  other,  which  shall  swiftest  move, 

R  eady  to  strike  afresh  our  harps  above, 

A  nd  bless  the  Savior,  through  whose  love  we  love! 

N  o  hand  but  thine,  dear  Jesus,  marked  the  road, 

N  o  wisdom,  love,  or  power,  but  that  of  God. 

R  esolved  to  bless — he  to  each  other  gave; 

O,  that  through  life— his  utmost  power  to  save, 

G  race  upon  grace,  our  happy  souls  may  prove; 

E  nwrapped,  implunged,  and  swallowed  up  in  love; 

R  eady  to  clap  the  wing — his  call  obey, 

S  oar  up  together — love  in  endless  day!” 

My  dear  partner  never  considered  herself  a 
poet;  nevertheless,  these  lines  will  show  she 
wa^  not  entirely  without  the  poetic  talent  also. 

Some  of  her  letters,  with  a  few  other  pro¬ 
ductions  in  prose,  have  appeared  in  print;  but 
these  are  very  small,  compared  with  the  nu¬ 
merous  manuscripts  she  has  left.  Besides  the 
vast  quantity  of  letters  which  she  wrote  to 
her  pious  correspondents,  she  kept  a  diary  of 
her  life,  from  the  time  of  her  conversion  to 
God — which  was  in  the  seventeenth  year  of 
her  age — till  within  a  few  days  of  her  death; 
so  that  I  am  favored  with,  I  believe,  not  less 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


127 


than  three  thousand  quarto  pages,  all  written 
by  her  own  hand:  and  every  page  clearly  dis¬ 
covers,  that  for  the  space  of  more  than  twenty 
years  she  enjoyed  constant  fellowship  and 
communion  with  a  triune  God;  and  that  she 
never  forsook  her  first  love,  nor  lost  a  sense 
of  the  Divine  favor,  from  the  day  of  her  con¬ 
version  to  the  hour  of  her  death!  None  but 
those  who  live  in  the  same  spirit  can  properly 
conceive  the  degree  of  intimacy  which  sub¬ 
sisted  between  her  find  her  God.  That  the 
reader  may  be  excited  to  press  after  the  same 
enjoyment,  I  will  here  give  him  a  specimen 
of  the  almost  uninterrupted  language  of  her 
heart  and  pen: 

“I  was  so  happy  in  the  night,  that  I  had 
very  little  sleep,  and  I  awoke  with  these 
words,  ‘The  temple  of  an  indwelling  God!’ 
My  soul  sunk  into  depths  of  nothingness,  and 
enjoys  closer  union  with  him  this  day  than 
ever  before.  Every  moment  I  feel  such  a 
weight  of  love,  as  almost  overpowers  the  fac¬ 
ulties  of  nature!  I  know  I  could  bear  no 
more  and  live;  but  I  often  feel  ready  to  cry, 
0,  give  me  more,  and  let  me  die!  I  long  to 
be  freed  from  the  earth!  But  help  me,  Lord, 
to  wait  resigned,  willing  to  sutler  or  do  for 
thee.  I  need  not  lay  this  body  down  to  feel 
thy  presence!  Thou  dwellest  in  my  heart, 
and  shalt  forever  dwell!  Thou  art  my  pres¬ 
ent  heaven — my  soul’s  eternal  all. 

“I  went  to  bed  last  night  so  full  of  the 
love  of  God,  I  could  not  sleep  for  several 


128 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


hours,  but  continued  in  secret  intercourse  with 
my  Savior.  At  preaching  this  morning  I  was 
so  overcome  with  the  love  and  presence,  and 
exceeding  glory  of  my  triune  God,  that  I 
sunk  down,  unable  to  support  it.  It  was  long 
before  I  could  stand  or  speak.  All  this  day 
I  have  been  lost  in  depths  of  love  unuttera¬ 
ble.  At  the  love-feast  I  was  again  over¬ 
whelmed  with  his  immediate  presence.  All 
around  me  is  God. 


‘Within  his  circling  arms  I  lie, 

Beset  on  every  side!’  ” 

Some  time  after  this  she  writes: 

“As  I  came  from  meeting,  I  was  so  over¬ 
powered  by  the  presence  of  God,  that,  had 
not  a  friend  supported  me,  I  could  not  have 
walked  home.  I  was  lost  in  the  depths  of 
love,  and  admitted,  as  it  were,  into  the  imme¬ 
diate  presence  of  my  Lord’s  glory.  Yet  I 
can  not  explain  it,  for  I  saw  no  manner  of 
similitude,  and  was  humbled  into  the  dust 
before  him.  It  is  often  impressed  on  my 
mind,  the  Lord  is  preparing  me  for  some 
severe  trial.  My  whole  soul  cries  out,  Thy 
will  be  done.  Only  let  thy  grace  be  sufficient 
for  me! 

‘Unsustained  by  thee,  I  fall; 

Send  the  help  for  which  I  call; 

Weaker  than  a  bruised  reed, 

Help  I  every  moment  need!’ 

“Yes;  but, 

‘  I  all  thy  power  shall  prove; 

Thy  nature  and  thy  name  is  love.’ 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  129 

“Blessed  be  God,  I  feel  this  day  an  in¬ 
crease  of  holy  nearness  to  him,  and  fellowship 
with  him!  At  the  prayer  meeting  my  body 
was  quite  overcome  for  half  an  hour  together! 
so  did  my  Lord  unfold  his  fullness  of  love  to 
my  soul.  I  seemed  as  in*the  presence  of  his 
glory,  confounded  and  overwhelmed  with  a 
sense  of  his  purity  and  his  justice,  his  grace 
and  love;  and  was  constrained  to  lie  at  his 
feet,  in  speechless  adoration  and  humblest 
praise;  while  my  body  was  covered  with  a 
cold  sweat,  and  all  around  thought  I  was 
dying.  Vfell  mightest  thou  say,  0,  most 
adorable  Jehovah,  'No  man  can  see  my  face 
and  live!’  For,  when  thou  displayest  only 
one  faint  ray,  one  glimpse  of  thy  glorious 
presence,  this  frail  tabernacle  is  ready  to 
crumble  into  dust  before  thee.  But  O,  I  shall 
one  day  be  capable  of  beholding  thee  face  to 
face!  These  eyes  shall  see  thy  glory,  and 
gaze  forever  in  ecstatic  bliss.  Now,  this  cor¬ 
ruptible  clay  can  not  support  itself  under  the 
weight  of  thy  love;  but  then  it  shall  have  put 
on  incorruption,  and  be  able  to  enjoy  the  full 
and  eternal  fruition  of  thy  glory. 

“Mr.  P.  preached  from,  ‘The  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and 
fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you.’ 
Before  he  had  spoken  ten  minutes,  I  was  filled 
with  the  triune  God,  and  sunk  motionless, 
under  an  exceediifgly-great  weight  of  love. 
My  outward  senses  were  locked  up,  but  my 
spirit  seemed  surrounded  with  glory  inexpress- 
9 


130 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


ible.  I  beheld  Jesus,  and  was,  as  it  were, 
overshadowed  and  weighed  down  by  the  pres¬ 
ence  and  exceeding  glory  of  the  whole  Deity. 
I  knew  not  where  I  was,  or  whether  in  the 
body;  but  all  was  unutterable  bliss  and  glory. 
After  I  came  to  myself,  I  continued  full  of  the 
Divine  presence,  and  a  weight  of  love,  such  as 
enfeebled  my  whole  frame.  For  many  days 
and  nights  I  could  eat  but  little,  and  could 
seldom  sleep  more  than  an  hour  in  twenty-four. 

“Afterward,  I  passed  through  scenes  of 
close  trial — for  which  the  Lord  had  thus  been 
graciously  preparing  me — and,  for  a  season, 
had  not  those  peculiar  manifestations;  but  his 
grace  was  sufficient,  and  he  brought  me 
through  waves,  and  clouds,  and  storms  un¬ 
hurt.  To  him  be  glory  forever  and  ever!” 

As  the  quotations  in  the  preceding  sermon 
are  chiefly  taken  from  my  companion’s  later 
manuscripts,  I  have  transcribed  these  from 
what  she  wrote  at  an  earlier  period;  which, 
when  compared  together,  show,  that  as  she 
began,  so  she  finished  her  happy  course.  And 
although,  as  she  observes,  her  ecstatic  joy 
was  sometimes  checked  by  various  trials,  yet 
the  same  ground  for  rejoicing  continued; 
namely,  faith  and  a  pure  conscience.  And, 
besides  the  testimony  of  her  own  papers,  I 
am  witness,  that  many  times  I  have  seen  her 
as  happy  in  God  as  she  could  well  be,  and 
exist  below;  so  that  I  have  been  even  afraid 
it  would  prove  too  much  for  the  earthen  ves¬ 
sel  to  bear. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  *  131 

She  had  a  singular  taste  for  reading,  from 
her  youth.  In  her  unawakened  state,  her 
delight  was  in  the  perusal  of  entertaining 
novels  and  romances;  and  when  a  well-writ- 
ten  history  fell  in  her  way,  she  thought  little 
of  reading  three  or  four  hundred  octavo  pages 
in  a  day,  till  she  got  through  it;  which  she  did 
with  this  advantage,  that  she  generally  made 
the  substance  of  it  her  own.  But  since  her 
acquaintance  with  vital  religion,  Rollin’s  An¬ 
cient  History  was  her  chief  favorite;  as  she 
said,  she  found  most  of  God  in  it,  and  because 
it  clearly  illustrated  the  prophecies,  and  con¬ 
firmed  the  truth  of  revelation. 

But,  of  late  years,  though  she  still  read 
different  authors  at  convenient  opportunities, 
the  Bible  was  her  chief  study,  and  in  it  she 
took  uncommon  delight.  Our  usual  rule  was, 
to  read  one  chapter  every  morning,  as  a  part 
of  family  worship;  but  for  some  time  before 
the  Lord  took  my  dearest  partner,  we  agreed 
to  read  three:  one  out  of  the  Old  Testament, 
in  the  morning;  one  out  of  the  Gospel,  at 
noon;  and  one  at  night  out  of  the  Acts  or 
some  of  the  Epistles.  And  besides  these, 
when  unable  to  attend  upon  the  public  minis¬ 
try  of  the  word,  when  sickness  and  pain  for¬ 
bade  her  doing  it  herself,  she  would  call  the 
servant  to  read  to  her.  And  at  intervals, 
when  her  strength  would  allow  it,  she  often 
made  remarks,  and  drew  practical,  inferences 
as  they  wTent  on. 

When  alone  she  often  read  the  Bible  kneel- 


132  ’  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

ing,  on  which  occasion  we  frequently  find  her 
breaking  forth  in  language  of  this  sort:  “Read¬ 
ing  the  word  of  God  in  private  this  day  was  an 
unspeakable  blessing.  0!  how  precious  are 
the  promises.  What  a  depth  in  these  words: 
‘For  all  the  promises  of  God  in  him  are  yea, 
and  in  him,  amen,  unto  the  glory  of  God.’ 
Yes,  my  soul,  they  are  so  to  thee!  The 
Father  delights  to  fulfill,  and  the  Spirit  to  seal 
them  on  my  heart.  0,  that  dear  invaluable 
truth ! 

1  Ready  art  thou  to  receive ; 

Readier  is  thy  God  to  give.’ 

“The  Lord  poured  his  love  abundantly  into 
my  soul  while  worshiping  before  him:  and  I 
was  enabled  to  renew  my  covenant,  to  be  wholly 
and  forever  his!  0,  how  precious  are  his  ways 
to  my  soul,  suited  to  my  weakness,  worthy  of 
a  God!  I  am  nothing!  he  is  all.  I  moment¬ 
arily  live  upon  his  smiles,  and  dwell  under  the 
shadow  of  his  wings;  I  desire  nothing  but  to 
please  him:  to  grow  in  inward  conformity  to 
his  will;  and  sink  deeper  into  humble, love;  to 
let  the  light  of  what  his  grace  hath  bestowed, 
shine  on  all  around,  and  to  live  and  die  pro¬ 
claiming,  God  is  love.” 

I  think  myself  bound,  in  justice  to  her 
amiable  character,  here  to  remark,  that  not¬ 
withstanding  the  tenderness  of  her  affection 
for  me,  and  the  great  sensibility  of  her  feelings 
at  my  leaving  her — which  I  had  often  done 
when  she  was  very  unwell — yet  she  never,  to 
my  knowledge,  once  attempted  to  prevent  me 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  133 

from  going  on  my  Lord’s  errand.  No:  she 
knew  the  importance  of  the  message  too  well 
to  do  that.  As  to  her  own  usefulness  in  the 
Church  of  Go$,  it  will  best  appear  when  the 
light  of  eternity  discovers  it:  in  Macclesfield, 
Dublin,  Cork,  and  London,  her  name  will  be 
precious  to  her  numerous  and  kind  friends — 
and  especially  to  the  children  of  her  faith  and 
prayers — while  memory  lasts!  and,  I  believe, 
numbers  of  these  will  bless  God  in  an  eternal 
world  that  they  ever  saw  her  face.  Perhaps 
some  may  be  found  even  in  Birmingham,  where 
she  closed  her  useful,  happy  life,  to  whom  the 
name  of  Mrs.  Rogers  will  long  be  precious! 

And  yet,  notwithstanding  her  extraordinary 
zeal  for  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  her 
good  sense,  joined  with  that  Christian  modesty 
which  is  ever  becoming  her  sex,  taught  her  as 
to  the  manner  how  to  proceed  in  saving  souls 
from  death.  The  sphere  in  which  she  moved 
was,  to  visit  the  sick;  to  teach  her  own  sex  in 
private;  and  to  pray,  whenever  providentially 
called  upon,  whether  in  public  or  private. 
And  to  her  might  be  applied  that  Scripture: 
‘‘Whosoever  hath  [or  uses  what  he  hath]  to 
him  shall  be  given,  and  he  shall  have  more 
abundantly.”  The  divine  unction  which  at¬ 
tended  her  prayer,  added  to  the  manner  in 
which  she  pleaded  with  God  for  instantaneous 
blessings,  was  very  extraordinary,  and  gen¬ 
erally  felt  by  all  present.  A  conviction  from 
God  that  she  ought  to  use  this  talent,  con¬ 
strained  her  to  hold  meetings  in  her  neighbors’ 


134  MRS.  HESTER  ARE  ROGERS. 

houses,  for  the  purpose  of  praying  with  the 
distressed  in  soul,  and  with  as  many  more  as 
chose  to  attend. 

During  our  stay  in  Dublin,  she  met  weekly 
three  women’s  classes,  consisting  of  about 
thirty  members  to  each,  in  all  ninety,  to  whom 
she  was  called  to  speak  individually,  besides 
the  many  occasional  conversations  she  had 
with  others  about  the  state  of  their  souls.  At 
Cork  she  met  two  large  classes,  mostly  new 
members,  to  whom  she  had  been  useful;  and 
was,  indeed,  the  chief  instrument  of  bringing 
them  into  the  society;  as  was  also  the  case 
with  very  n^any  of  those  she  met  in  Dublin. 

In  London,  although  called  to  the  charge  of 
Mr.  Wesley’s  family,  in  addition  to  her  own, 
she  at  once  filled  the  place  of  housekeeper  at 
the  City  Road — -in  which  station  she  acquitted 
herself  with  honor  for  two  years— -and  at  the 
same  time  had  the  charge  of  two  large  classes. 
Her  third  and  last  year  in  London  was  not  less 
profitable  to  her  friend's,  many  of  whom  fob 
lowed  her  to  Spitalfields,  where  several  new 
members  were  added  to  her  classes;  and,  I 
believe,  most  of  those  who  attended  that 
means  of  grace  with  her,  both  in  that  and 
other  places,  found  it  good  for  their  souls. 
While  speaking  to,  or  praying  with  them, 
many,  very  many,  have  been  enabled  to  wit¬ 
ness  a  clear  sense  of  God’s  forgiving  love;  and 
others,  at  the  same  time,  have  obtained  salva¬ 
tion  from  inbred  sin — a  doctrine  this,  of  which 
she  had  the  clearest  views.  And  to  its  valid- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


135 


ity,  her  own  conduct  bore  a  constant  testimony. 

“Through  all  her  words  the  soul  within, 

The  honest,  artless  soul  was  seen, 

Ingenuous,  pure,  and  free; 

Candor  and  love  were  sweetly  joined 
With  easy  nobleness  of  mind, 

And  true  simplicity.” 

And  although  she  clearly  perceived  the 
need  of  a  gradual  work,  daily  exhorting  be¬ 
lievers  to  grow  in  grace,  yet  she  saw  it  her 
duty  to  bicb  those  who  felt  the  burden  of  in¬ 
dwelling  sin,  to  look  for  the  total  destruction 
of  it  in  one  moment;  ever  pressing  them  to 
believe  for  the  blessing;  to  believe  now;  insist¬ 
ing,  “If  thou  canst  believe,  all  things  are  pos¬ 
sible  to  him  that  believeth.”  And  the  Lord 
set  his  seal  to  the  truths  she  enforced.  Many, 
through  her  means,  were  instantaneously  de¬ 
livered  from  the  remains  of  a  carnal  mind,  so 
as  to  “rejoice  evermore,  pray  without  ceasing, 
and  in  every  thing  give  thanks.” 

As  great  a  matter  as  the  attaining  this  bless¬ 
ing  may  appear,  it  is  a  yet  greater  thing  to 
hold  it-  fast.  And  as  the  following  circum¬ 
stance  had  a  most  blessed  effect  on  the  mind 
of  my  dear  companion,  when  she  was  com¬ 
paratively  a  babe  in  this  grace,  greatly  tending 
to  establish  her  therein,  I  will,  for  the  sake  of 
others,  transcribe  the  following  account,  just 
as  she  wrote  it  at  the  time*.  And  but  few 
events  did  I  ever  hear  her  mention  with  greater 
pleasure  than  it. 

“Leeds,  August  24,  1781. — That  dear  man 
of  God,  Mr.  Fletcher,  came  with  Miss  Bosan- 


136  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

quet — now  Mrs.  Fletcher — to  f  dine  at  Mr. 
Smith’s  in  Park-row,  and  also  to  meet  the 
select  society.  After  dinner  I  took  an  oppor¬ 
tunity  to  beg  he  would  explain  an  expression 
he  once  used  to  Miss  Loxdale,  in  a  letter; 
namely,  ‘  That  on  all  who  are  renewed  in  loAre, 
God  bestows  the  gift  of  prophecy.’  He  called 
for  the  Bible;  then  read,  and  sweetly  ex¬ 
plained  the  second  chapter  of  the  Acts;  ob¬ 
serving,  To  prophesy  in  the  sense  he  meant, 
was  to  magnify  God  with  the  new  heart  of 
love,  and  the  new  tongue  of  praise,  as  they 
did,  who,  on  the  day  of  pentecost,  were  filled 
with  the  Holy  Ghost!  And  he  insisted  that 
believers  are  now  called  to  make  the  same 
confession;  seeing  we  may  all  prove  the  same 
baptismal  fire:  showing  that  the  day  of  pente¬ 
cost  was  only  the  opening  of  the  dispensation 
of  the  Holy  Ghost;  the  great  promise  of  the 
Father!  And  that  the  latter-day  glory,  which 
he  believed  was  near  at  hand,  .should  far  ex¬ 
ceed  the  first  effusion  of  the  Spirit.  And, 
therefore,  seeing  they  then  bore  witness  to  the 
grace  of  our  Lord,  so  should  we;  and,  like 
them,  spread  the  flame  of  love.  Then,  after 
singing  a  hymn,  he  cried,  ‘  O,  to  be  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost!  I  want  to  be  filled!  0,  my 
friends,  let  us  wrestle  for  a  more  abundant 
outpouring  of  the  Spirit.’  To  me  he  said, 
‘  Come,  my  sister,  will  you  covenant  with  me 
this  day,  to  pray  for  the  fullness  of  the  Spirit? 
Will  you  be  a  witness  for  Jesus?’  I  answered, 
with  flowing  tears,  ‘In  the  strength  of  Jesus  1 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


137 


will.  He  cried,  ‘Glory,  glory,  glory  be  to 
God!  Lord,  strengthen  thy  handmaid  to  keep 
this  covenant,  even  unto  death.’  He  then  said, 
‘My  dear  brethren  and  sisters,  God  is  here;  I 
feel  him  in  this  place:  but  I  would  hide  my 
face  in  the  dust,  because  I  have  been  ashamed 
to  declare  what  he  hath  done  for  me.  For 
many  years  I  have 'grieved  his  Spirit;  but  I 
am  deeply  humbled:  and  he  has  again  restored 
my  soul.  Last  Wednesday  evening  he  spoke 
to  me  by  these  words:  “Reckon  yourselves, 
therefore,  to  be  dead  indeed  unto  sin,  but  alive 
unto  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.”  I 
obeyed  the  voice  of  God;  I  now  obey  it,  and 
I  tell  you  all,  to  the  praise  of  his  love,  “I  am 
free  from  sin!”  Yes,  I  rejoice  to  declare  it, 
and  to  bear  witness  to  the  glory  of  his  grace, 
that  I  am  dead  to  sin,  and  alive  to  God, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  my  Lord  and 
King.  I  received  this  blessing  four  or  five 
times  before;  but  I  lost  it  by  not  observing  the 
order  of  God;  who  has  told  us,  “With  the 
heart  man  believeth  unto  righteousness,  and 
with  the  mouth  confession  is  made  'unto  salva¬ 
tion.”  But  the  enemy  offered  his  bait  under 
various  colors,  to  keep  me  from  a  public  dec¬ 
laration  of  what  my  Lord  had  wrought. 

“  ‘When  I  first  received  this  grace,  Satan 
bid  me  wait  awhile,  till  I  saw  more  of  the 
fruits:  I  resolved  to  do  so;  but  I  soon  began 
to  doubt  of  the  witness,  which,  before,  I  had 
felt  in  my  heart;  and  was  in  a  little  time  sen¬ 
sible  I  had  lost  both.  A  second  time,  after 


138  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

receiving  this  salvation — with  shame  I  confess 
it — I  was  kept  from  being  a  witness  for  my 
Lord,  by  the  suggestion,  “Thou  art  a  public 
character:  the  eyes  of  all  are  upon  thee:  and 
if,  as  before,  by  any  means  thou  lose  the 
blessing,  it  will  be  a  dishonor  to  the  doctrine 
of  heart  holiness,”  etc.  I  held  my  peace,  and 
again  forfeited  the  gift  of  God!  At  another 
time  I  was  prevailed  upon  to  hide  it  by  reason¬ 
ing,  How  few,  even  of  the  children  of  God, 
will  receive  this  testimony;  many  of  them  sup¬ 
posing  every  transgression  of  the  Adamic  law 
is  sin:  and  therefore,  if  I  profess  myself  to 
be  free  from  sin,  all  these  will  give  my  pro¬ 
fession  the  lie:  because  I  am  not  free,  in  their 
sense:  I  am  not  free  fr.om  ignorance,  mistakes, 
and  various  infirmities:  I  will,  therefore,  enjoy 
what  God  has  wrought  in  me,  but  I  will  not 
say,  I  am  perfect  in  love.  Alas!  I  soon  found 
again,  “He  that  hideth  his  Lord’s  talent,  and 
improveth  it  not,  from  that  unprofitable  serv¬ 
ant  shall  be  taken  away  even  that  he  hath.” 

“  ‘Now,  my  brethren,  you  see  my  folly;  I 
have  confessed  it  in  your  presence,  and  now  I  re¬ 
sol ve>  before  you  all,  to  confess  my  Master;  I 
will  confess  him  to  all  the  world:  and  I  declare 
to  you,  in  the  presence  of  God,  the  holy  Trin¬ 
ity,  I  am  now  “dead  indeed  unto  sin.”  I  do 
not  say,  “I  am  crucified  with  Christ;”  because 
some  of  our  well-meaning  brethren  say,  “By 
this  can  only  be  meant  a  gradual  dying;”  but 
I  profess  to  you,  I  am  dead  to  sin,  and  alive  to 
God!  And  remember  all  this  is  “through 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


139 


Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.”  He  is  my  Prophet , 
Priest,  and  King:  my  indwelling  holiness:  my 
all  in  all.  I  wait  for  the  fulfillment  of  that 
prayer,  “That  they  all  may  he  one:  as  thou, 
Father,  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  they  also 
may  be  one  in  us;  and  that  they  be  one,  even 
as  we  are  one.”  0,  for  that  pure  baptismal 
flame!  O,  for  the  fullness  of  the  dispensation 
of  the  Holy  Ghost:  pray;  pray — pray  for  this: 
this  shall  make  us  all  of  one  heart  and  of  one 
soul:  pray  for  gifts:  for  the  gift  of  utterance; 
and  confess  your  royal  Master.  A  man  with¬ 
out  gifts  is  like  the  king  in  disguise;  he  ap¬ 
pears  as  a  subject  only.  You  are  kings  and 
priests  to  God.  Put  on,  therefore,  your  robes, 
and  wear  on  your  garments,  Holiness  to  the 
Lord* 

“A  few  days  after  this  I  heard  Mr.  Fletcher 
preach  from  the  same  subject,  which  greatly 
encouraged  and  strengthened  me.  Inviting 
all  who  felt  their  need  of  full  redemption  to 
believe  now  for  this  great  salvation,  he  ob¬ 
served,  ‘As  when  you  reckon  with  .your  cred¬ 
itor,  or  with  your  host;  and,  as  when  you  have 
paid  all,  you  reckon  yourselves  free,  s©  now 
reckon  with  God.  Jesus  hath  paid  all:  and  he 
hath  paid  for  thee;  hath  purchased  thy  pardon 
and  holiness.  Therefore,  it  is  now  God’s  com¬ 
mand,  “Reckon  thyself  dead  unto  sin;”  and 
thou  art  alive  to  God  from  this  hour!  O  begin, 
begin  to  reckon  now:  fear  not;  believe,  be¬ 
lieve,  believe;  and  continue  to  believe  every 
moment;  so  shalt  thou  continue  free;  for  it  is 


140 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


retained  as  it  is  received,  by  faitb  alone.  And, 
whosoever  thou  art  that  perseveringly  believ- 
est,  it  will  be  as  a  fire  in  thy  bosom,  and  con¬ 
strain  thee  to  confess  with  thy  mouth  the  Lord 
and  King  Jesus;  and  in  spreading  the  sacred 
flame  of  love,  thou  shalt  still  be  saved  to  the 
uttermost.’ 

‘‘He  also  dwelt  largely  on  those  words, 
‘Where  sin  abounded,  grace  did  much  more 
abound.’  He  asked,  ‘How  did  sin  abound? 
Had  it  not  overspread  your  whole  soul? 
Were  not  all  your  passions,  tempers,  propensi¬ 
ties,  and  affections,  inordinate  and  evil?  Did 
not  pride,  anger,  self-will,  and  unbelief,  all 
reign  in  you?  And  when  the  Spirit  of  God 
strove  with  you,  did  you  not  repel  all  his  con¬ 
victions,  and  put  him  far  from  you?  Well, 
my  brethren,  “Ye  were  then  the  servants  of 
sin,  and  were  free  from  righteousness;  but  now 
being  made  free  from  sin,  ye  become  servants 
to  God;”  and  holiness  shall  overspread  your 
whole  soul;  so  that  all  your  tempers  and  pas¬ 
sions  shall  be  henceforth  regulated  and  gov¬ 
erned  by  Him  who  now  sitteth  upon  the  throne 
of  your  heart,  making  all  things  new.  They 
shall,  therefore,  all  be  holy.  And  as  you  once 
resisted  the  Holy  Spirit,  so  now  you  shall  have 
power  as  easily  to  resist  all  the  subtile  frauds 
or  fierce  attacks  of  Satan:  yea,  his  suggestions 
to  evil  shall  be  like  a  ball  thrown  against  a 
wall  of  brass:  it  shall  rebound  again;  and  you 
shall  know  what  that  meaneth,  “  The  prince  of 
this  world  cometh,  and  hath  nothing  in  me.” 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


141 


“He  then,  with  lifted  hands,  cried,  ‘Who 
will  thus  be  saved?  Who  will  believe  the  re¬ 
port?  You  are  only  in  an  improper  sense 
called  believers,  who  reject  this!  Who  is  a 
believer?  One  that  believes  a  few  things 
which  his  God  has  spoken?  Nay,  but  one  that 
believes  all  that  ever  proceeded  even  out  of 
his  mouth.  Here,  then,  is  the  word  of  the 
Lord:  “As  sin  abounded,  grace  shall  much' 
more  abound. ”  As  no  good  thing  was  in  you 
by  nature,  so  now  no  evil  thing  shall  remain. 
Do  you  believe  this?  or  are  you  a  half  believer 
only?  Come,  Jesus  is  offered  to  thee  as  a 
perfect  Savior;  take  him,  and  he  will  make 
thee  a  perfect  saint.  0!  ye  half  believers, 
will  ye  still  plead  for  the  murderers  of  your 
Lord?  Which  of  these  will  you  hide  as  a  ser¬ 
pent  in  your  bosom?  Shall  it  be  anger,  pride, 
self-will,  or  accursed  unbelief?  0,  be  no 
longer  befooled:  bring  these  enemies  to  thy 
Lord,  and  let  him  slay  them.’ 

“Some  days  after  this,  being  in  Mr.  Fletch¬ 
er’s  company,  he  took  me  by  my  hand,  and 
said,  ‘Glory  be  to  God;  for  you,  my  sister, 
still  bear  a  noble  testimony  for  your  Lord. 
Do  you  repent  your  confession  of  his  salva¬ 
tion?’  I  answered,  ‘Blessed  be  God,  I  do 
not.’  At  going  away,  he  again  took  me  by 
the  hand,  saying,  with  eyes  and  heart  lifted 
up,  ‘Bless  her,  heavenly  Power!’  It  seemed 
as  if  an  instant  answer  was  given,  and  a  beam 
of  glory  let  down!  I  was  filled  with  deep 


142  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

# 

humility  and  love;  yea,  my  whole  soul  over¬ 
flowed  with  unutterable  sweetness.” 

As  my  beloved  companion  enjoyed  that  pu¬ 
rity  of  heart  mentioned  by  our  Lord  in  Matt, 
v,  8,  so  did  she  see  God  in  all  things!  She 
greatly  delighted  in  secret  retirement  and  pri¬ 
vate  intercourse  with  him.  She  had  strong  con¬ 
fidence  in  a  particular  providence  presiding  over 
all  that  respected  her:  and  as  she  believed 
that  “the  very  hairs  of  our  head  are  num¬ 
bered,  and  that  a  sparrow  can  not  fall  to  the 
ground  without  our  heavenly  Father,”  so  was 
she  led  to  ask  of  God  various  things  which 
many  professors  of  religion  seldom  think  of 
praying  for.  And  it  is  remarkable  how  many 
are  the  instances  which  she  has  recorded  as 
direct  answers  to  her  prayers.  I  will  here 
transcribe  two  or  three: 

“June  29,  1782. — This  day  the  Lord  in¬ 
stantaneously  removed  a  rapid  mortification  in 
my  dear  mother’s  leg,  in  answer  to  prayer. 
The  doctor  having  given  his  opinion  that  in  a 
few  hours  it  would  be  fatal,  I  flew  to  my  al¬ 
mighty  Refuge,  and  felt  I  had  power  with 
God,  through  faith  in  that  promise:  ‘The 
prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick.’  And 
when,  in  half  an  hour,  I  looked  again  at  the 
wound,  all  the  bad  symptoms  were  gone:  and 
the  same  doctor,  standing  astonished,  said  no 
danger  now  appeared.  I  could  not  forbear 
weeping  aloud  for  joy  and  gratitude,  praising 
the  God  of  my  life.” 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  143 

“November  29,  1785. — A.  lady  of  genteel 
appearance,  whom  I  had  not  seen  before,  re¬ 
quested  to  speak  with  me.  I  found  she  had 
come  secretly  to  hear  preaching  for  some 
months,  and  was  under  deep  awakenings. 
Her  husband  is  a  man  of  fortune,  but  a  pro¬ 
fessed  infidel;  believes  in  neither  God,  devil, 
heaven,  nor  hell;  mocks  at  the  Scriptures,  es¬ 
pecially  the  New  Testament;  and  will  neither 
attend  any  place  of  public  worship  himself, 
nor  suffer  her  to  do  so.  And  what  added  to 
her  affliction,  his  bad  state  of  health  deter¬ 
mined  him  to  go  to  live  in  France.  She  cried, 
‘What  will  become  of  me  there?  No  means 
of  grace:  no  friend  to  fly  to:  in  a  country  of 
idolaters  abroad,  and  infidels  at  home:  my  sin¬ 
ful  heart,  and  the  temptations  of  Satan  to 
struggle  with:  I  shall  lose  all  my  good  desires, 
and  my  poor  soul  will  be  ruined!’ 

“I  asked,  ‘Is  there  no  way  to  prevent  this?’ 
She  answered,  ‘No.’  I  said,  ‘But  the  Lord 
can  prevent  it;  and  if  not  for  his  glory,  he 
will.’  ‘Ha!’  said  she,  ‘I  fear  nothing  can 
prevent  it;  the  carriage  is  preparing,  and  the 
time  is  fixed.’  I  replied,  ‘  Only  put  the  whole 
into  the  Lord’s  hand,  and  you  are  safe.  Trust 
in  God,  and  make  it  a  matter  of  prayer;  and 
if  the  journey  be  not  for  your  good,  though  it 
com^to  the  last  hour,  he  will  prevent  it.  Nay, 
if  you  should  even  set  out,  he  can,  by  a  thou¬ 
sand  means,  turn  you  back,  and  he  will.  Did 
lie*' not  suffer  the  three  Hebrew  children  to  be 
cast  into  the  furnace?  Yet  the  fire  had  no 


144 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


power  to  consume.  Daniel  was  cast  into  the 
den;  but  the  God  you  are  called  to  trust,  shut 
the  lions’  jaws.  St.  John  was  put  into  the 
cauldron  of  boiling  oil;  yet  he  received  no 
harm.  This  God,  who  is  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  forever,  will  prevent  this  journey 
if  you  trust  in  him;  or  he  will  make  it  a  bless¬ 
ing  to  your  soul.’  I  then  went  to  prayer,  and 
at  parting  bid  her  pray  much  for  her  husband, 
and  believe  all  things  are  possible  with  God. 

“  Some  time  after  she  called  on  me,  and  told 
me  she  had  taken  my  advice,  and  prayed  for 
her  husband,  who,  a  few  nights  ago,  had  a 
remarkable  dream,  which  much  affected  and 
astonished  him.  He  thought  he  was  giving 
orders  to  his  coach-maker  about  his  new  car¬ 
riage,  and  more  especially  about  one  of  the 
wheels:  when  the  man  turned  about  and  said, 
in  a  very  solemn  manner,  ‘  Sir,  you  need  not 
trouble  yourself  about  that  wheel,  for  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  has  the  whole  management  of  it.’ 
He  was  filled  with  surprise,  and  awoke.  I 
again  commended  her  to  God  in  prayer,  and 
she  returned  home  not  a  little  comforted. 

“A  few  days  afterward  a  note  was  sent  to 
request  public  thanks  to  almighty  God  for  his 
power  and  love  manifested  in  behalf  of  a  per¬ 
son  whose  name  is  unknown.  The  messenger, 
calling  on  me  at  the  same  time,  said,  ‘Thank 
God,  this  journey  is  prevented  at  last!’*  I 
asked,  ‘But  how  was  this  brought  to  pass?’ 
She  said,  ‘Only  two  days  ago,  all  was  fixed 
for  the  journey;  and  on  this  day  they  were  to 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


145 


set  off.  But  the  Lord  afflicted  the  physician 
who  advised  them  to  go.  And  Mr. - ,  find¬ 

ing  himself  very  poorly,  called  in  another  doc¬ 
tor,  who  assured  him  he  could  not  undergo 
the  journey,  and  that  France  is  not  a  proper 
place  for  his  constitution,  and  therefore  all 
thoughts  of  going  are  at  an  end.’ 

“O  how  my  soul  was  filled  with  wonder, 
love,  and  praise!  Who  that  considers  the 
above,  will  not  see  omnipotence,  love,  and 
faithfulness  exerted  in  answer  to  prayer!  Who 
would  not  wish  for  such  a  friend!  Who  would 
not  love,  serve,  and  confide  in  such  a  God! 
Who  would  not  own,  ‘  He  heareth  prayer,  and 
to  him  should  all  flesh  come!’  And  how  won¬ 
derful  is  such  a  dream  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  by  a  man  of  such  principles!  Surely 
it  was  all  of  God,  and  to  him  alone  is  due  all 
the  glory.” 

“March  5,  1790. — In  private,  I  had  peculiar 
liberty  in  praying  for  my  dear  husband,  that 
he  might  experience  all  the  depth  of  Jesus’ 
love  more  abundantly  than  ever,  and  be  the 
happy  means  of  leading  me  also  into  further 
degrees  of  inward  salvation;  that  our  union 
might  ever  tend  to  a  yet  closer  union  with  our 
God,  and  all  our  outward  mercies  lead  to 'this. 
While  I  prayed,  I  felt  assured  my  Lord  was 
well  pleased,  and  would  send  an  answer  to  my 
largest  desires.  Next  morning  Mr.  Rogers 
awoke  very  happy,  having  had  a  precious  view 
of  the  deep  things  of  God:  he  dreamed  that 
he  felt  the  clear  witness  of  sanctification,  and 
10 


146  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

his  soul  seemed  full  of  gratitude  and  love. 
In  taking  a  ride  out  together,  and  laying  open 
our  whole  hearts  to  each  other,  as  we  fre¬ 
quently  did,  I  found  my  soul  unspeakably 
happy;  while  we  resolved  to  be  more  spiritual, 
more  devoted  to  God,  and  more  zealous  in 
saving  souls  than  ever.  This  was  made  a 
great  blessing  to  me;  and  doubly  so,  as  I  be¬ 
lieve  it  an  answer  to  my  prayer.” 

The  last  instance  I  shall  cite,  took  place  only 
a  little  before  her  death.  “  June  10,  1794. — 
I  had  a  peculiar  season  in  wrestling  prayer 
with  my  God  this  night,  on  account  of  my 
dear  little  Mary.  The  great  weakness  of  her 
limbs  for  three  months  past,  and  her  seeming 
total  inability  to  walk,  has  caused  much  pain 
to  my  dear  husband  as  well  as  myself.  It 
appears  to  me  I  had  used  every  possible  means 
in  vain.  But  this  night  I  had  power  to  cry  to 
my  God,  and  tell  him,  ‘Thou  art  the  same, 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever:  thou  art  my 
God/  Thou  hast  said,  ‘Call  upon  me  in  the 
day  of  trouble,  and  I  will  hear  thee.’  Thou 
ha§,t  healed  cripples,  made  the  lame  to  walk* 
yea,  raised  even  the  dead,  in  answer  to  pray¬ 
ing  faith!  Lord,  hear  me  now;  stoop  to  my 
r^quifst:  let  the  child’s  feet  and  ankle-bones 
receive  strength;  give  power  to  walk,  aii^d  let 
me  soon  know  thou  hast  heard  my  prayer; 
and  I  had  power  to  believe  it  should  be  done,; 
and  ipv  soul  was  filled  with  the  Divine  pres¬ 
ence.  Thursday,  the  12th. — I  already  see  an 
answer  to  my  prayer  in  the  child.  She  is 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


147 


greatly  strengthened  in  her  limbs.  How  good, 
how  faithful,  how  condescending  is  the  Lord! 
We  may — I  may,  like  Abraham,  like  Moses, 
like  Elijah,  ask  and  obtain.” 

Such  were  the  habits  of  intimacy  which  my 
dear  partner  enjoyed  with  her  beloved  Savior, 
that  even  when  her  outward  senses  were 
locked  up  by  sleep,  he  would  frequently  speak 
to  her  heart;  and  in  dreams  and  visions  of  the 
night  appeared  to  strengthen  her  in  times  of 
trial;  warn  her  of  danger,  or  prepare  her  for 
trouble  before  it  came!  One  instance  out  of 
many  I  will  here  mention.  It  happened  about 
four  years  after  our  marriage,  and  was  at¬ 
tended  with  much  comfort  to  her  mind  ever 
after  when  she  recuired  to  it. 

“Having  been  exercised  with  an  uncommon 
sense  of  various  shortcomings  and  daily  in¬ 
firmities  for  some  days  past,  I  awoke  this 
morning,  lost,  overwhelmed,  and  swallowed 
up  in  love,  joy,  and  praise,  occasioned  by  the 
following  dream.  It  thought  I  was  in  an  ele¬ 
gant  house,  and  was  desired  by  one  to  go  into 
that  room — pointing  the  way — and  I  should 
see  the  late  Mrs.  Rogers.  I  wondered,  but 
obeyed;  I  thought  I  entered  the  room,  which 
was  hung  all  round  with  clean  white  linen; 
and  upon  a  bed  I  saw  the  Jbeautiful  corpse  of 
my  dear  departed  sister  and  friend!  I  looked, 
and  loved  the  precious  remains;  when,  to  my 
great  astonishment,  her  eyes  opened!  She 
smiled  on  me,  and  raised  herself  up.  I  ex¬ 
claimed,  in  a  rapture  of  joyful  surprise,  ‘Is  it 


148 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


possible!  has  the  Lord  permitted  you  to  revive, 
so  as  to  speak  to  me?’  She  replied,  with  un¬ 
utterable  sweetness,  ‘All  things,  my  dear,  are 
possible  with  God.  He  has  permitted  it  for 
your  comfort.’  ‘0!’  said  I,  ‘what  would  I 
hayg  often  given  to  converse  one  hour  with 
you,  since  you  were  taken?’  She  said,  ‘There 
was  no  need,  my  dear,  God  has  been  with 
you.’  I  answered,  ‘Yes,  he  has;  but  0!  tell 
me,  have  I  acted  my  part  aright  in  your  place? 
Does  God,  in  this,  approve  of  me?’  She  smiled 
again,  and  said,  ‘  He  does:  and  in  all  things 
he  is  well  pleased;  and  he  will  yet  strengthen 
and  bless  you  to  the  end!  He  loves  you,  and 
he  will  save  you  in  every  time  of  trouble. 
You  have  nothing  to  fear:  for  you  will  be 
happy  in  life,  in  death,  and  forever.  You  are 
dear  to  God;  and  it  is  to  comfort  you  he  per¬ 
mits  me  to  appear  and  tell  you  this.’ 

“I  thought  in  my  dream  she  said  much 
more:  but  this  is  all  I  can  distinctly  recollect. 
And  it  so  overcame  me  with  transport,  that  I 
awoke:  but  my  body  was  bathed  in  sweat,  and 
my  soul,  as  in  the  dream,  filled  with  God,  with 
heaven,  and  with  unspeakable  bliss;  so  that  I 
could  not  refrain  awaking  my  dear  husband  to 
tell  him:  and  could  sleep  no  more,  but  con¬ 
tinued  praising  God  till  the  morning.  The 
more  I  considered  his  condescending  goodness 
herein,  the  more  I  am  lost  in  love,  self-abase¬ 
ment,  and  speechless  gratitude.” 

This  dream  was  made  a  great  blessing  to  us 
both;  and  it  is  attended  with  no  small  consola- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


149 


tion  to  n\e,  especially  under  my  present  circum¬ 
stances,  to  conceive  that  the  inhabitants  of 
heaven  know  well  the  transactions  of  earth! 
And — to  waive  the  almost  innumerable  and 
well- authenticated  instances  of  recent  date — 
that  they  do  so  is  beyond  a  doubt;  or  how 
could  they  be  said  to  “rejoice  over  every  sin¬ 
ner  that  repenteth?”  And  when  Moses  and 
Elijah  conversed  with  our  Lord,  it  was  on  the 
bitter  cup  he  was  to  drink  in  Jerusalem;  of 
consequence,  they  remembered  that  place, 
as  well  as  those  prophecies  which  were  to 
be  fulfilled  upon  that  occasion.  And  if  the 
pious  poor  retain  so  lively  a  sensation  in  the 
other  world  of  the  favors  conferred  on  them 
in  this,  as  to  wait  for  the  arrival  of  their  kind 
benefactors,  in  order  to  “receive  them  into 
everlasting  habitations,”  Luke  xvi,  11,  what 
kind  offices  may  we  not  expect  from  those  who, 
for  many  years,  were  our  faithful  companions 
in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus?  “Are 
they  not  all — as  well  as  the  angels — minister¬ 
ing  spirits,  sent  forth  to  minister  for  them  who 
shall  be  heirs  of  salvation?”  And  what  an¬ 
gel — except  the  Angel  of  the  covenant,  who 
took  upon  him  our  nature,  and  was  touched 
with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities — is  so  well 
qualified  for  this  office  and  guardianship  as 
they?  And  it  is  even  probable  a  part  of  their 
heaven  consists  in  the  pleasure  of  attending 
those  who  are  yet  probationers  in  this  world 
of  woe!  especially  when  they  see  us  attentive 
to  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  them. 


150 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Hard  as  it  was  to  part,  my  dear  companion 
would  have  found  it  harder  still,  but  for  the 
same  persuasion  which  constantly  rested  with 
her,  as  appears  from  her  own  words,  saying, 
“I  feel  myself  very  poorly  in  body,  and  sev¬ 
eral  symptoms  threaten  my  dissolution;  but 
my  soul  is  kept  in  perfect  peace:  I  know,  ‘For 
me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain.’  It 
seems  as  if  the  Lord  had  been  of  late  prepar¬ 
ing  me  for  himself.  And  yet,  when  I  think  of 
leaving  the  dearest  of  earthly  comforts,  it  is 
like  rending  of  self  from  self;  of  nature  from 
nature;  and  of  flesh  from  the  bone!  Never¬ 
theless,  when  I  reflect,  the  separation  is  only 
for  a  moment,  compared  with  eternity!  and 
that  death  itself  can  not  disunite  our  spirits,  it 
greatly  helps  me  to  say.  Lord,  not  as  I  will, 
but  as  thou  wilt.” 

It  seems  easy  to  learn  from  the  preceding 
pages  that,  be  our  attainments  in  piety  what 
they  will,  they  have  not  the  least  tendency  to 
dissolve  the  endearing  ties  of  natural  affection; 
on  the  contrary,  that  religion,  by  refining, 
tends  to  increase  both  the  fervor  and  constancy 
of  our  love.  But  what  are  all  other  ties,  of 
which  the  human  heart  is  capable,  compared 
with  that  holy  and  spiritual  union,  ever  sub¬ 
sisting  between  those  whom  God,  in  every 
sense,  hath  made  one? 

I  am  conscious  the  tenderest  of  maternal  ties 
possessed  the  heart  of  my  dear  companion;  yet 
these,  when  it  came  to  the  point,  were  dis¬ 
solved  with  comparative  ease!  as  were,  also. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


151 


all  her  other  friendly  attachments — with  one 
only  exception,  of  myself. 

“Not  even  in  death  her  friendship  dies! 

With  grateful  pity  and  surprise 
I  ask,  how  can  it  be? 

Loosen’d  from  all  she  leaves  behind, 

Yet  still — she  cleaves  to  ME. 

On  me  she  rests  her  dying  head. 

And  catching,  grasps  a  broken  reed. 

But  will  not  let  me  part: 

Till  Jesus  visits  her  again, 

By  nobler  love  dissolves  the  chain, 

And  frees  her  struggling  heart.” 

God  alone  can  tell  you  what  I  felt  in  that 
dread  moment,  when  her  Lord  gave  the  signal 
for  dismission,  and  I  was  called  to  return  the 
last  parting  kiss!  For  some  time  I  could  only 
breathe,  as  it  were,  in  silent  accents,  ‘‘0!  my 
God,  let  my  latter  end  be  like  hers!  Come,  O 
come  quickly,  and  prepare  me  to  follow  her.” 
It  is  still  the  language  of  my  bleeding  heart, 

“O  let  me  on  her  image  dwell, 

The  soul-transporting  spectacle. 

On  whom  even  angels  gaze! 

A  pious  saint  matured  ior  God, 

And  shaking  off  her  earthly  clod, 

To  see  his  open  face. 

I  see  the  generous  friend  sincere! 

Her  voice  still  vibrates  in  my  ear, 

The  voice  of  truth  and  love! 

It  calls  me  to  put  off  my  clay, 

And  bids  me  soar  with  her  away 
To  fairer  worlds  above!” 

Well!  thank  God,  a  moment  can  not  always 
last!  And 

“  He  who  set  my  partner  free, 

Shall  quickly  send  for  you  and  me!” 


152 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Only  let  us  take  care  that  our  loins  are  girt, 
and  our  lights  burning  as  brightly  as  hers, 
when  our  Lord  cometh,  and  all  shall  be  well. 
All  who  knew  my  valuable  companion,  will 
allow  that  these  pages  contain  but  a  small 
part  of  what  might  be  said  upon  a  character 
every  way  so  amiable.  But  there  is  a  day 
coming  when  her  real  value  shall  be  made 
manifest. 

The  honor  of  being  united  to  such  a  woman 
fills  my  soul  with  unfeigned  gratitude  before 
God.  And  although  at  present  I  am  left  to 
feel  my  loss,  I  am  supported  from  above  in 
a  manner  that  exceeds  all  description.  The 
heart-felt  presence  of  God,  which,  from  the 
time  he  took  my  all  of  earthly  treasure,  I 
have  not  wanted  for  one  moment,  more  than 
compensates  for  the  absence  of  all  created 
good!  if  I  can  suppose  her  absent,  who,  under 
God,  was  the  center  of  all  earthly  treasure 
to  me!  And  now  to  him  who  had  a  prior 
right  I  freely  resign  this  all,  because  his  right 
is  infinitely  superior  to  mine!  In  the  act  of 
offering  a  sacrifice  so  pleasing  to  my  God,  I 
feel  that  our  union  in  him  is  of  eternal  dura¬ 
tion;  and  that  as  sure  as  my  beloved  partner 
now  sleeps  in  Jesus,  even  so  surely  will  God 
bring  her  with  him,  and  present  her  to  me 
again:  “For  the  Lord  Jesus  himself  shall  de¬ 
scend  from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the 
voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with  the  trump 
of  God;  and  then  we  shall  be  caught  up 
together  in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


153 


the  air;  and  so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the 
Lord.”  Thus  comforted,  and  knowing  the 
time  is  ..short,  I  shall  here  take  leave  ot  my 
beloved  wife,  leaving  her  to  rest  in  his  arms! 
where, 

Supremely  bless’d  with  perfect  peace, 

She  loves  me  now  without  excess, 

Or  passionate  alloy; 

Serene  she  waits  my  spirit’s’ flight, 

To  range  with  her  the  plains  of  light, 

And  climb  the  mount  of  joy. 

Reposed  in  those  Elysian  seats, 

Where  JONATHAN  his  David  meets, 

Our  souls  shall  soon  embrace: 

The  utmost  power  of  friendship  prove, 

Commenced  on  earth,  matured  above, 

In  ecstasies  of  praise. 

How  shall  we  sing  and  triumph  there, 

Our  dangers  and  escapes  compare, 

Our  days  of  flesh  and  woe: 

How  comprehend  the  plan  divine, 

And  sweetly  in  his  praises  ■join, 

Thrdfcigh  whom  we  meet  below; 

Through  whom  in  paradise  we  meet. 

Great  Author  of  our  joy  "complete, 

The  Jesus  we  proclaim! ; 

While  all  *the  saints  stand  listening  round, 

And  all  the.reafhis  of  bliss  resound, 

Salvation  to  the  Lamb. 

The  Lamb  has  brought  us  through  the  fire! 

The  Lamb  shall  raise  our  rapture  higher, 

When  all  from  earth  are  driven; 

Our  glorious  Head  shall  cleave  the  skies, 

And  bid  his  Church  triumphant  rise 
F rom  PARADISE  to  HEAVEN. 

James  Rogers. 

Birmingham ,  March  29,  1795. 


154 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


A  SUPPLEMENT  TO  THE  APPENDIX: 

CONSISTING  OF  MISCELLANEOUS  EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  JOUR¬ 
NALS  OF  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

Dublin,  November  7,  1786. — This  day  my 
•  soul  hath  felt  much  of  the  power  of  God,  and 
a  sweet  solemnity,  which  I  can  but  faintly  de¬ 
scribe.  In  calling  to  visit  a  friend  who  is  dan¬ 
gerous^  ill  of  the  pleurisy,  I  was  led  to  bring 
her  very  near  the  time  when  I  shall  bid  adieu 
to  all  beneath  the  sun.  I  saw  it  an  awful 
thing  to  die;  yet  rejoiced  to  feel  the  sting  of 
death  entirely  gone;  and  a  witness  that  if  I 
was  called,  like  her,  to  gasp  for  another  and 
another  breath,  and  to  offer  up  my  spirit,  it 
would  surely  be  into  the  arms  of  Jesus.  But 
how  was  the  importance  of  improving  my 
present  mercies  impressed  on  my  mind — the 
necessity  of  now  employing  every  talent  for 
God!  In  a  state  like  hers,  I  should  be  very 
unfit  to  call  upon  God  even  for  my  own  soul: 
much  less  would  it  be  in  my  power  to  per¬ 
suade,  warn,  reprove,  or  exhort  others.  My 
God  has  at  present  intrusted  me  with  precious 
time  and  opportunities.^  0  let  me  improve, 
and  not  betray  my  trust- — but  only  for  thy 
'glory  live,  and  to  thy  glory  die! 

In  the  Evening  my  dear  husband  preached 
with  peculiar  freedom  from,  “All  are  yours.” 
In  the  course  of  his  sermon  he  went  through 
“Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas,  or  the  world, 
or  me,  or  death,”  etc.,  and  in  the  last  instance 
observed,  “We  are  immortal  till  our  work  is 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


155 


done:  till  then,  men  and  devils  combined  can 
not  kill.”  He  likewise  mentioned  that  mem¬ 
orable  saying  of  King  William,  who,  at  the 
battle  of  the  Boyne,  when  in  the  most  immi¬ 
nent  danger,  exclaimed — to  encourage  his 

o  7  #  o 

men — “  Every  bullet  hath  its  billet!”  showing 
our  life  is  in  the  hand  of  God  alone:  when,  on 
a  sudden,  the  congregation  was  all  alarmed 
by  a  man  with  a  large  loaded  pistol  being 
seized  at  the  door.  I  was  in  the  gallery,  and 
therefore  ignorant  of  what  caused  the  uproar; 
and  my  employment  was  to  quiet  the  women, 
who  were  all  for  rushing  down  stairs,  many 
of  them  ready  to  fall  into  fits.  I  had  no  fear 
whatever;  the  sermon  had  been  a  blessing  to 
my  soul,  and  I  was  kept  in  perfect  peace. 
When  I  came  into  the  yard,  and  heard  the 
particulars,  I  found  that  this  villain  had  come 
into  the  preaching-house,  and  sat  opposite  the 
pulpit  for  half  an  hour,  while  Mr.  Rogers  was 
preaching;  then,  on  receiving  a  watchword 
from  his  comrades,  went  out.  And  our  maid, 
who,  at  the  same  time,  came  into  the*  yard, 
unperceived  in  the  dark,  heard  them  plotting 
together,  and  resolving  to  fire  the  pistol  at 
Mr.  Rogers,  and  make  off.  Another  friend, 
who  was  nearer  than  they,  imagined,  also 
heard  them  muttering  and  cursing  one  of 
them,  bidding  him  with  the  pistol  “aim  at 
the  cushion.”  In  that  moment  the  door¬ 
keeper  and  two  other  friends  desired  them 
to  quit  the  yard,  when  this  fellow  rushed 
toward  the  door  with  violence,  and  attempted 


156 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


to  knock  down  brother  Hansford,  with  the 
but  end  of  his  large  pistol;  but  he  avoided 
the  blow,  and  only  received  a  slight  hurt  on 
the  side  of  his  head.  The  ruffian  was  then 
seized  by  a  number  of  our  friends,  and  taken 
to  the  watch-house.  When  examined,  he  de¬ 
nied  he  had  any  pistol,  and  cursed  Mr.  Rogers, 
and  all  the  Methodists,  bitterly.-  He  was  or¬ 
dered  to  Newgate,  and  there  confined.  The 
constable  came  next  morning  and  told  us  Sir 
Roger  Smith,  justice  of  the  peace,  had  exam¬ 
ined  the  pistol,  and  found  it  loaded  with  a 
large  charge  of  the  best  gunpowder,  and  six 
leaden  balls,  which  he  showed  me:  they  were 
very  ragged  and  sharp. 

All  these  things  put  together,  I  was  now 
much  more  affected  than  before;  as  it  ap¬ 
peared  plain  that  a  deep-laid  plot  had  been 
concerted,  and  there  was  every  reason  to  be¬ 
lieve  the  intention  was  to  have  shot  my  dear 
husband  while  he  was  preaching.  The  won¬ 
derful  prevention  filled  me  with  gratitude  and 
humble  praise.  While  Mr.  R.  and  several 
friends  went  to  Newgate  to  interrogate  the 
ruffian,  I  spent  a  precious  hour  of  intercourse 
with  my  God.  And  in  sweetly  committing  to 
him  the  whole  affair,  I  had  some  liberty  to 
intercede  for  the  poor  wretch,  but  more  in 
praying  for  my  dear  partner:  when  the  Lord 
graciously  applied  these  words,  “Not  a  hair 
of  his  head  shall  perish:  wherefore,  in  pa¬ 
tience  possess  ye  your  souls.”  I  blessed  him 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  157 

|  .*%£>  '•  * 

for  the  promise  and  the  precept,  and  was  filled 
with  divine  consolation. 

The  night  after  this  happened,  Mr.  Peacock 
j  preached  with  great  liberty,  from,  “Fear  not 
them  which  kill  the  body,  and  after  that  have 
no  more  that  they  can  do.”  His  word  was 
a  ‘blessing  to  me  and  many;  especially  his 
quoting  that  text:  “Touch  not  mine  anointed, 

1  and  do  my  prophets  no  harm.”  Two  persons 
returned  thanks  this  evening:  one  for  pardon, 
the  other  for  being  renewed  in  love;  both  of 
!J  them  under  the  sermon  last  night.  Well  may 
j|i  Satan  rage  at  a  work  like  this,  now  going  for- 
li!  ward  in  this  city.  As  several  Roman  Catho- 
lies  have  been  lately  awakened,  and  have 
I  joined  the  society,  and  a  very  rich  man,  of 
jj  great  note  among  the  priests,  had  become  a 
constant  hearer  at  our  chapel,  it  is  conjectured 
where  this  horrid  plot  most  likely  originated. 

I  And  the  more  clearly  doth  this  appear  from 
the  number  of  persons  who  visited  this  vil- 
lain  while  in  prison;  and  by  whose  means  his 
escape  was  effected,  so  that  he  was  not  brought 
to  trial? 

Cork,  August  20,  1789. — I  found  that  text 
j  much  blessed  to  me  this  morning,  Isa.  xl,  8, 

|  “Who  are  those  that  fly  as  a  cloud,  and  as 
j  doves  to  their  windows?”  How  heavy  is  the 
j  dense  cloud — yet  hangs  in  air  without  any 
visible  hand  to  uphold  it!  Such  am  I;  loaded 
1  with  ten  thousand  infirmities,  various  tempta¬ 
tions  from  Satan,  and  calumnies  from  mali- 


158  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

cions  men,  under  which  I  must  sink;  yea,  and 
that  even  after  my  soul  has  been  attracted 
from  the  earth  by  the  Sun  of  righteousness; 
were  it  not  that  I  am  held  up  like  a  cloud  in 
the  air,  by  the  mighty  power  of  God.  1  ai«o 
feel  as  one  of  those  silly,  helpless  doves,  an*1 
as  such  I  fly  to  hide  in  my  Savior’s  breast* 
There,  my  Lord,  I  would  forever  dwell. 

“  How  blest  are  they  who  still  abide, 

Close  shelter’d  in  thy  bleeding  side!” 

We  had  a  good  season  of  family  prayer* 
after  which  we  went  upon  the  water  with 
some  friends;  and  sailing  down  to  Cove,  we 
went  on  board  of  Mr.  Sholdham’s  new  and 
beautiful  yacht.  This  vessel  is  built,  it  seems, 
for  pleasure;  and  he  intends  to  sail  in  it  round 
the  world.  Every  thing  in  it  is  elegant,  even, 
to  extravagance;  much  plate,  superb  furniture 
in  the  cabin,  and  a  French  cook  on  board. 
But  can  this  make  the  owner  happy?  Alas! 
no;  it  can  not  be,  unless  his  soul  were  first 
adorned  with  Christ,  and  made  meet  for  God. 
In  the  evening  Mr.  Rogers  preached  in  Cove 
to  a  large  company  of  attentive  hearers,  from, 
“Ye  must  be  born  again.”  The  room  was 
also  well  filled  the  next  evening;  and  the  day 
after  we  returned  home  in  an  open  boat.  We 
had  a  high  wind,  and  heavy  showers  of  rain, 
the  whole  passage;  and  the  tide  meeting  the 
wind,  when  we  came  to  Lough  Mahon — a 
very  dangerous  place — it  was  rough  indeed. 
But  the  Lord  sweetly  prepared  me  for  it. 
That  verse  was  so  powerfully  impressed  on 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


159 


my  mind,  that  I  could  not  forbear  repeat¬ 
ing  it: 

“O’er  the  raging  billows  sailing, 

With  my  all-protecting  Guide; 

By  thy  mercy  never  failing, 

I  shall  all  the  stdrms  outride! 

Join’d  to  thee  by  closest  union, 

And  to  my  companion  dear; 

By  this  happy,  sweet  communion, 

Thou  wilt  banish  every  fear.” 

Just  then  came  on  a  squall  of  wind,  and  the 
swell  was  so  very  high  that  ail  the  passengers 
shrieked  aloud,  and  some  bow  cried  to  God 
for  mercy!  Even  the  boatmen  turned  pale; 
and  our  friends  clasped  round  us  in  a  most 
affecting  manner.  Yet,  though  I  was  sensi- 
ble  of  our  danger,  my  soul  was  kept  from  fear. 
I  recollected  Peter  on  the  waves,  and  said, 
“Lord,  what  are  these  when  in  the  hollow  of 
thy  hand?  I  commit  my  all  to  thee!  Preserve 
me  from  fear,  and  help  me  to  praise  thee.” 
My  soul  was  indeed  filled  with  his  good¬ 
ness.  The  boatmen,  sensible  of  the  danger, 
turned  out  of  the  channel  into  shallow  water, 
and  then  the  swell  was  not  so  great.  But  we 
were  still  in  jeopardy,  expecting  every  mo¬ 
ment  to  be  stranded  in  the  mud;  and  if  so, 
all  must  have  perished,  as  we  were  near  a 
mile  from  shore.  But  the  Lord  preserved  us 
from  all  evil;  and  we  landed  safe  in  Cork  be¬ 
fore  night  came  on.  0  may  I  never  forget 
his  love  to  me  this  day!  Throughout  the 
whole  I  was  kept  composed  and  happy,  and 
returned  in  better  health  than  when  1  went. 


160  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

“Praise  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all  that  is 
within  me,  bless  his  holy  name!”* 

Extract  of  a  letter,  received  January  14, 
1789:  “The  Rev.  Mr.  E.  calling  to  visit  one 
of  his  hearers,  saw  a  young  lady  in  the  parlor, 
who  had  come  for  the  use  of  the  water,  on 
account  of  her  health.  Observing  her  un¬ 
usually  pensive,  Mr.  E.  took  the  liberty  to 
inquire  the  reason.  She  answered,  ‘Sir,  I 
will  think  no  more  of  it— -it  was  only  a  dream: 
and  I  will  not  be  so  childish  as  to  be  alarmed 
at  a  dream!  But,  sir/  said  she,  ‘I  will  tell 
you  my  dream,  and  then  I  will  think  of  it  no 
more/  She  then  repeated  as  follows:  ‘I 
dreamed  I  was  at  the  ball,  where  ^  intended 
to  go  to-night.  Soon  after  I  was  in  the  room 
I  was  taken  very  ill,  and  they  gave  me  a 
smelling-bottle,  and  then  I  was  brought  home'' 
into  this  room;  I  was  put  into  that  elbow- 
chair,  [pointing  to  it,]  and  fainted  and  died! 

I  then  thought  I  was  carried  to  a  place  where 
there  were  angels  and  holy  people  in  abund¬ 
ance,  singing  hymns  and  praises  to  God:  that 
I  found  myself  very  unhappy  there,  and  de¬ 
sired  to  go  from  thence.  My  conductor  said, 
if  I  did,  I  should  not  come  there  again.  He 
then  violently  whirled  me,  and  I  fell  down, 
down — through  blackness,  and  flames,  and 
sulphur;  the  dread  of  which  awoke  me.’  ” 

The  minister  endeavored,  by  every  possible 
argument,  to  dissuade  the  young  lady  from 
going  to  the  ball  that  night,  but  in  vain;  she 
answered,  “I  will  go.  I  will  not  be  so  foolish 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  161 

as  to  mind  a  dream!”  She  did  go;  and  soon 
after  she  came  into  the  ball-room  she  was 
taken  ill;  and,  as  she  dreamed,  a  smelling- 
bottle  was  given  her.  She  was  carried  home, 
into  the  room,  and  put  into  that  very  elbow- 
chair,  represented  in  the  dream;  she  fainted — 
and  died. 

Awful  warning!  an  awful  event!  O  that  it 
may  deeply  penetrate  the  hearts  of  all  who 
are  “lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of 
God!”  She  was  warned  by  a  dream;  but 
such  are  now  warned  by  a  reality,  even  her 
fate!  She  is  gone,  gone  into  a  world  of 
spirits — into  eternity.  But  was  she  unhappy? 
Yery  unhappy  in  the  presence  of  a  holy  God, 
and  his  holy  worshipers!  0  how  does  this 
correspond  with  that  solemn  declaration  from 
the  lips  of  truth,  “Without  holiness  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord!”  0  how  unmeet  is  one 
who  liveth  in  these  delusive  pleasures  on 
earth,  for  the  spiritual  enjoyment  of  God  in 
glory!  which  is  the  inheritance  and  the  bliss 
of  the  saints  in  light.  Reader,  ask  thy  own 
heart!  Couldst  thou  be  more  happy  than 
she  in  the  eternal  employ  of  those  who  sur¬ 
round  the  throne,  and  sing  the  song  of  Moses 
and  the  Lamb?  Be  assured  thou  couldst  not, 
except  on  earth  thou  hast  learned  their  song — 
“Unto  him  that  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from 
our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us 
kings  and  priests  unto  God,  and  his  Father; 
to  him  be  glory  and  dominion  forever  and 
ever.”  Thou  must  be  born  again, 

11 


162  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

What  a  striking  contrast  between  the  young 
person  alluded  to  above,  and  an  intimate 
friend  of  mine  in  the  city  of  Cork,  who  died 
near  about  that  time!  Her  name  was  Mary 
Mahoney.  When  very  young,  her  carnal  re¬ 
lations  forced  her  to  marry  a  man  for  whom 
she  had  no  affection.  He  proved  a  veiy 
wicked  and  a  bad  husband;  but  the  God  of 
wisdom  and  love,  even  out  of  this  evil  brought 
forth  good.  The  trials  she  daily  endured,  led 
her  to  seek  rest  and  happiness  in  the  source 
of  bliss!  Beginning  frequently,  though  pri¬ 
vately,  to  hear  the  Methodists,  her  mind  was 
dfawn  out  in  strong  desires  after  God.  But 
her  husband  often  followed  her,  and  dragged 
her  out  of  the  preaching-house  by  the  hair  of 
her  head.  After  some  time  he  left  her  en¬ 
tirely,  and  she  saw  him  no  more.  She  joined 
our  society  about  eight  years  ago,  and  soon 
found  peace  with  God,  which  she  never  lost; 
and  about  three  years  after,  obtained  also  a 
clear  witness  that  her  soul  was  cleansed  from 
all  sin.  In  this  salvation  she  walked  unre- 
provably  to  the  day  of  her  death.  And 
though  at  some  seasons  she  was  buffeted  with 
various  temptations,  yet  she  always  emerged 
out  of  them  more  ‘fully  purified.  She  was 
called  outwardly  to  follow  her  heavenly  Lord 
in  the  way  of  the  cross;  but  she  joyfully 
took  it  up,  and  bore  it  with  the  meekness  of 
her  lamb-like  Savior!  Like  him,  her  .lan¬ 
guage  was,  “Not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt.” 

Her  love  to  Jesus,  and  her  zeal  for  the 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  163 

glory  of  God,  and  for  promoting  the  good 
of  precious  souls,  were  very  peculiar.  This 
induced  Mr.  Rogers  to  request  her  to  take 
the  charge  of  a  class  of  young  women,  over 
whom  she  watched  faithfully  and  diligently 
with  tears,  fastings,  and  much  prayer.  In 
her  last  sickness — thought  to  be  a  rheumatic 
fever — her  agony  of  pain  in  every  limb  was 
extreme;  but  she  told  me  and  others,  “When 
these  hands  and  feet  are  tortured  with  pain — 
yea,  such  anguish  as  is  almost  insupportable — 
I  look  to  my  precious  Savior,  and  see  by  faith 
his  dear  hands  and  feet  pierced,  and  bleeding, 
and  nailed  to  the  accursed  tree  for  my  sins! 
and  the  view  of  that  mangled  body  and  pre¬ 
cious  head  torn  with  thorns,  and  that  precious 
blood  streaming  for  my  soul,  sweetens  all  my 
pain,  and  makes  me  willing  to  bear  all  he 
pleases  to  inflict.”  After  she  had  thus  suf¬ 
fered  for  nine  days,  and  constantly  witnessed 
to  all,  the  goodness  of  God  to  her  soul,  she 
became  delirious.  But  a  few  hours  before 
her  departure,  the  Lord  restored  her  reason. 
She  was,  however,  speechless,  till  at  last,  after 
struggling  some  time  as  in  an  agony  to  say 
something,  she  cried  aloud,  “Jesus  is  precious! 
Jesus  is  precious!”  and  sweetly  fell  asleep  on 
the  10th  of  February,  1789,  and  in  the  twenty- 
fifth  year  of  her  age. 

October  24,  1790. — I  heard  Mr.  Wesley 
preach  in  Spitalfields  chapel  with  great  lib¬ 
erty  from  Eph,  vi,  11,  “Put  on  the  whole 
armor  of  God.”  I  never  heard  the  Christian 


164  MRS-  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

armor  so  described  before.  In  the  course  of 
his  sermon  he  introduced  an  account  of  a 
French  marshal,  a  very  wicked  man,  but  a 
great  warrior,  who  in  the  blaze  of  battle  lifted 
up  his  hand  toward  heaven,  and  swpre  by  his 
Maker,  he  would  never  quit  the  field  while 
there  was  an  Englishman  alive  in  it!  He  was 
harnassed  with  steel,  but  while  pronouncing 
the  oath,  with  his  arm  extended,  a  musket- 
ball  entering  the  joints  of  the  harness,  shot 
him  in  the  armpit,  and  down  he  fell.  Mr. 
Wesley  showed,  in  the  beautiful  contrast,  that 
the  Christian  being  armed  with  the  panoply 
of  God,  that  is,  his  whole  armor,  no  such  part 
is  left  exposed,  but  the  whole  soul  is  covered 
and  defended  against  every  fiery  dart  of  our 
common  enemy,  the  devil. 

I  awoke  very  happy  this  morning,  with 
these  sweet  words: 

“God,  the  almighty  God,  is  thine; 

See  him  to  thy  help  come  down, 

The  excellence  divine.” 

And  0,  how  was  I  blest  while  musing  on  that 
precious  Scripture,  “Now  we  see  through  a 
glass  darkly!”  It  was  indeed  a  blessed  sea¬ 
son  to  my  soul;  especially  for  a  few  minutes, 
when  I  felt  what  I  can  not  explain.  Such  a 
manifestation  of  God  as  a  spirit,  uniting  him¬ 
self  to  my  spirit;  such  a  real  enjoyment  of 
God  as  love,  as  holiness,  as  heaven,  that  full¬ 
ness  which  thought  can  not  fathom!  And  all 
this  to  me!  My  all  in  all!  united  inexplicably 
to  my  spirit;  more  than  filling  all  my  powers 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  165 

with  his  effulgence,  so  that  I  was  wrapt  in 
God.  0  my  Lord,  and  shall  I  prove  forever 
this  vision,  this  fruition  of  thy  fullness?  I 
know  I  shall.  Thou  hast  given  my  soul  a 
taste,  and  thou  wilt  give  me  the  abiding  real¬ 
ity  when  time  is  no  more.  0  thou  thrice 
holy  God  of  love,  my  soul  is  lost!  Wonder 
and  love  overpower  me  quite!  I  am  abased 
before  thee,  while  I  feel  the  sacred  blessing 
mine. 

November  4,  1792. — My  closet  was  truly  a 
bethel,  while  my  soul  was  engaged  in  prayer 
and  holy  meditation  on  those  deep  words, 
Col.  iii,  3,  4,  “Our  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in 
God,”  etc.  I  was  led  to  inquire  as  follows: 
But  how  is  my  life  hid?  My  life  being  the 
gift  of  God,  he  continues  or  withholds  it  at 
his  pleasure.  But  who  can  tell  how  he  ani¬ 
mates  the  body?  or  how  we  continue  in  that 
state  of  animation?  When  he  takes  away  our 
breath  we  die,  and  are  turned  again  to  dust. 
How  is  it  that  we  now  feel,  hear,  smell,  taste, 
and  see?  How  is  it  that  we  think,  judge, 
fear,  love,  desire,  and  enjoy?  To  say  we  are 
made  capable  of  all  these,  is  to  say  nothing. 
From  what  arises  that  capability?  The  soul 
actuates  the  body;  but  how?  And  who  in¬ 
forms  and  actuates  the  soul?  All  is  hid  with 
Christ  in  God.  He  is  the  source,  but  we  can 
not  search  out  his  ways. 

Our  spiritual  life  is  hid  also.  By  nature  we 
are  dead.  From  him  we  receive  the  first 
principle  of  spiritual  life,  “not  of  blood,  [from 


166  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

our  natural  parents,]  not  by  tbe  will  [or  power] 
of  man,  but  of  God.”  And  how  hid  from  the 
wisdom  of  a  natural  man  are  all  the  workings 
of  divine  grace!  We  are  told  he  can  not  know 
them.  Nor  can  a  soul  possessed  of  this  spir¬ 
itual  life  impart  what  he  feels  to  another;  it  is 
that  “new  name  which  none  knoweth  but  he 
that  receiveth  it.”  What  a  mystery — Christ 
in  us!  And  to  a  carnal  mind  what  a  mystery 
also  is  that  faith  which  justifies  and  saves! 

How  frequently  is  this  life  so  hid,  that  our 
actions,  words,  and  motives,  are  mistaken  by 
men!  And  often  is  the  saint  condemned 
through  this,  when  approved  of  God!  But 
soon  will  this  hidden  life  be  revealed  in  open 
day,  when  all  shall  see  and  admire  the  un¬ 
affected  integrity  of  him  whb  was  despised 
and  rejected  by  the  wicked;  mistaken  even 
by  his  friends — and  perhaps  grieved  sorely 
through  such  mistakes — when  his  innocence 
shall  shine  forth  as  the  light,  and  his  just 
dealing  as  the  noonday;  while  many  shall  be 
amazed  at  his  salvation,  so  far  beyond  all 
they  looked  for  on  earth!  Perhaps  a  well- 
painted  hypocrite  might  be  thought  more 
holy  than  the  Israelite  without  guile!  but 
then  the  mask  is  no  more!  God  will  own 
his  jewels,  and  they  shall  shine  in  his  pres¬ 
ence  forever.  And  if  sorrow  or  tears  could 
possibly  be  in  heaven,  surely  those  who  have 
been — through  mistake — cause  of  grief  to 
these  on  earth,  will  sorrow  then,  and  love 
them  more  perhaps  on  that  account. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


167 


Again:  much  is  hid  from  even  the  soul  pos¬ 
sessing  this  life.  The  humility  of  the  true 
saint,  arising  from  the  sense  of  many  infirmi¬ 
ties  which  he  feels,  hides  his  grace  from  his 
own  sight,  so  that,  at  certain  times,  he  is  even 
discouraged;  while  Satan,  the  accuser,  fails  not 
to  magnify  to  him  various  shortcomings.  His 
extreme  weakness,  his  failures 'in  judgment, 
memory,  or  zeal;  his  ignorance  of  many 
things;  or  some  constitutional  infirmity,  though 
not  yielded  to,  may  often  beset,  and  be  a  bur¬ 
den  to  his  mind.  These,  and  such  like,  may, 
for  a  time,  damp  the  joy  of  one  whose  “life 
is  hid  with  Christ  in  God.”  But  when  such 
feel  their  utter  helplessness,  the  Sun  of  right¬ 
eousness  shall  break  forth;  and  by  a  word — a 
single  look  of  love — dissipate  all  the  gloom, 
and  display  his  graces  and  himself,  and  fill 
with  unknown  peace!  But  when  these  come 
to  pass  through  the  valley,  there  they  shall 
find  Jesus  their  life  indeed,  with  whom  they 
shall  then  appear  in  glory!  Yes,  yes,  then 
they  shall  fearless 

41  Pass  the  watery  flood, 

Hanging  on  the  arm  of  God.” 

For  he  will  stand  in  Jordan  to  see  them  safe 
through,  and  landed  all  in  Canaan;  where  he 
will  display  before  them  his  bleeding  wounds, 
their  only  title  to  eternal  bliss!  And  0,  what 
then  shall  be  revealed  to  the  disembodied 
saint!  Divine  amazement  and  glory  all!  But 
O,  to  prove  the  blissful  reality  mine!  This, 
this  is  all;  and  while  my  soul  exults  in  the  sweet 


168 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


assurance,  I  deeply  feel  the  importance  of  that 
question,  “Simon,  Son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou 
me?”  and  can  tell  my  Lord,  as  Peter  did, 
“Thou  knowest  all  things,  thou  knowest  that 
I  love  thee.”  Yes,  with  all  my  heart.  I  have 
communion  with  my  God,  as  a  man  with  his 
friend.  I  feel  an  intimate  union  with  Jesus; 
and  through  him  with  the  Father;  and  such 
overflowing  emanations  from  the  Holy  Ghost 
as  I  have  rarely  felt  before. 

I  have  found  it  very  profitable  to  read  Horse 
Solitarise  on  the  Name  and  Titles  of  Christ: 
especially  that  of  Jehovah  Adonai.  His  re¬ 
marks  are  very  sweet  and  spiritual;  only  his 
Calvinism  I  pass  over.  Yet  I  can  allow  and 
join  in  all  that  gives  glory  to  Christ,  and  tends 
to  humble  the  sinner;  ascribing  also,  with  him, 
my  whole  salvation  to  grace  unmerited  and 
free.  I  believe  he  who  hath  loved  me  died 
for  all;  that  they  who  are  dead  might  hence¬ 
forth  live,  “not  unto  themselves,  but  unto  him 
who  died  for  them  and  rose  ggain.” 

February  19,  1794. — Having  heard  much 
respecting  public  matters,  and  about  an  ex¬ 
pected  invasion,  with  all  its  consequences,  I 
have  been  led  much  to  secret  prayer,  and  feel 
I  can  say  to  my  God,  “Naked  came  I  into  the 
world,  and  thou  hast  cared  for  me,  nurtured 
me  in  infancy,  preserved  me  in  youth,  pro¬ 
vided  for  the  wants,  yea,  even  for  the  comforts 
of  my  riper  years;  and  now  I  am  still  thine, 
and  I  commit  myself,  my  dear  husband  and 
children,  my  all  unto  thee.”  I  received  for 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


169 


answer,  “There  shall  no  evil  befall  thee,  nei¬ 
ther  shall  any  plague  come  near  thy  dwelling.” 
The  day  after  I  had  some  subtile  temptations 
from  the  enemy;  but  the  Lord  assured  my 
heart  he  would  not  suffer  me  to  be  tempted 
above  what  I  am  able  to  bear.  Whenever  I 
approach  the  Lord  in  secret,  Satan  vanishes, 
and  Jesus  tells  me,  “All  that  I  have  is  thine.” 
Yea,  he  truly  leads  me  into  green  pastures, 
and  by  the  still  waters  of  comfort. 

“O,  to  grace  how  great  a  debtor 
Daily  I’m  constrain’d  to  be.” 

My  mind  has  been  led  of  late  to  meditate 
on  the  latter-day  glory:  and  the  Lord’s  pres¬ 
ence  rested  upon  me  in  a  peculiar  manner, 
while  attending  to  those  beautiful  ideas  of  Mr. 
Fletcher  on  the  millennium;  especially  where 
he  observes,  “That  as  now  the  world  is  over¬ 
spread  with  iniquity,  so  shall  it  then  be  with 
holiness:  insomuch  that  a  wicked  man  shall 
then  be  as  great  a  wonder  upon  earth,  as  a 
father  in  Christ  is  now!  That  the  curse  shall 
be  taken  away  from  universal  creation,  vege¬ 
table,  animal,  and  elementary:  the  bodies  of 
men  no  longer  subject  to  pain  and  weakness. 
The  lion  will  then  be  as  inoffensive  as  the 
lamb;  and  the  leopard  lie  down  with  the  kid: 
‘for  they  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my 
holy  mountain,  [saith  our  God;]  for  the  earth 
shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of 
the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea/  ” 


170  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

THE  DYING  BED  OF  A  SAINT  AND  SINNER 
CONTRASTED. 

Dust  we  are,  and  to  dust  we  shall  return. 
A  few  more  rolling  years;  a  few  more  months 
or  weeks:  nay,  perhaps,  a  few  more  setting 
suns,  or  fleeting  moments,  and  we  are  gone. 
Gone,  where?  0!  that  awful,  dreadful,  bliss¬ 
ful  thought!  Awful  to  all,  dreadful  to  the 
unholy,  to  sinners,  and  blissful  to  the  saints  of 
God.  See  a  man  approaching  the  verge  of 
eternity;  how  are  all  his  views  changed! 
How  trifling  to  such  a  one  appears  all  below 
the  sun!  How  important  the  things  of  God, 
and  the  salvation  of  his  never-dying  soul! 
Let  us  consider  one  ignorant  of  God  through 
life;  immersed  in  pleasure,  lost  in  pride;  care¬ 
less,  secure,  surrounded  and  beloved  by  his 
carnal  friends,  and  possessed  of  a  moderate 
share  of  wealth;  such  a  one  in  the  bloom  of 
life.  Some  fatal  distemper  seizes  his  mortal 
frame;  he  is  racked  with  torturing  pain,  sur¬ 
rounded  by  weeping  friends,  whose  help  is  all 
in  vain:  the  physician  gives  no  hope  of  his  re¬ 
covery;  and  he  perceives  he  is  erelong  to 
launch  into  a  boundless  eternity!  What  are 
his  views  in  such  a  state?  Such  a  scene  have' 
my  eyes  beheld,  and  therefore  with  greater 
certainty  I  may  describe  it.  “Wretched  man 
that  I  am,  [methinks  I  still  hear  him  cry,] 
where  are  my  pleasures  now?  What  hath 
pride  profited  me,  or  what  good  hath  riches, 
with  all  my  vaunting,  done  me?  These  are 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  171 

passed  away  as  a  cloud,  and  now,  0  horrible, 
to  think! 

‘Now  leaving  all  I  love  below, 

To  God’s  tribunal  I  must  go, 

Must  hear  the  Judge  pronounre  my  fate, 

And  fix  my  everlasting  state.’ 

But  can  I  hope  to  dwell  with  God?  Ah,  no, 
it  can  not  be.  He  is  holy,  I  am  vile:  be  is 
just,  and  will  punish  the  guilty.  He  called, 
and  I  refused:  he  stretched  forth  his  hand, 
and  I  would  not  regard:  and  now  he  lauoheth 
at  my  calamity,  and  shutteth  his  ear  to  my 
cry.  Then  I  would  not,  now  I  can  not  pray: 
he  often  knocked- at  the  door  of  my  heart, 
saying,  by  an  inward  whisper,  Thou  art  wrong: 
repent,  and  turn  to  God.  ‘Seek  the  Lord 
while  he  may  be  found,  call  upon  him  while 
he  is  near.’  ‘Turn  ye,  turn  ye,  why  will  ye 
die?’  But  I  would  none  of  his  counsel,  and 
turned  away  mine  ear  from  his  reproof.  I  re¬ 
fused  the  yoke  of  Jesus;  despised  his  minis¬ 
ters,  and  neglected  that  salvation  which  was 
long  offered  to  me.  But  now  I  feel  the  dire 
effects!  Me  miserable!  which  way  shall  I  flee 
infinite  wrath  and  infinite  despair!  0,  eter¬ 
nity!  eternity!  eternity!  Fall,  fall  ye  rocks, 
and  hide  my  guilty  head;  hide  me  from  him 
that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  from  the 
wrath  of  the  Lamb!  But  0,  even  this  can  not 
be^  I  must  endure  his  indignation:  I  must 
suffer  the  vengeance  of  eternal  fire!  My  dam¬ 
nation  is  sealed!  Who  can  dwell  with  de¬ 
vouring  fire?  Who  can  endure  everlasting 


172 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


burnings?  Take  warning,  0,  my  careless 
friends!  A  gaping  hell  awaits  me!  My  soul 
is  going!  Fiends  are  waiting  to  receive  it;  they 
encircle  me  round;  0  horror,  and  eternity!” 

The  person  described  above  was  afterward 
reprieved  for  a  short  season  from  the  jaws 
of  death;  but  he  did  not  manifest  any  genuine 
repentance,  and,  in  about  six  months  after, 
died  in  raging  despair. 

Let  us  next  see  the  child  of  God!  the  heir  of 
glory — pleasing  contrast — how  different  his 
prospect!  He  longs  to  reach  his  Father’s 
house,  and  kisses  the  kind  rod  of  his  afflicting 
hand.  The  welcome  news  that  he  shall  soon 
be  there,  elevates  his  soul  with  rapturous  joy: 
he  has  a  foretaste  of  those  pleasures  which 
are  at  God’s  right  hand  for  evermore,  and  the 
language  of  his  heart  is, 

o  o  ’ 

“  Haste,  my  Beloved,  fetch  my  soul 
Up  to  thy  blest  abode: 

Fly,  for  my  spirit  longs  to  see 
My  Savior  and  my  God.” 

‘‘Yes,  blessed  Savior,  and  this  thou  knowest 
is  also  the  language  of  my  heart,  while  I  now 
bid  adieu  to  earth,  and  all  terrestrial  scenes. 

“Farewell,  my  dearly-beloved  children,  I 
leave  you,  but  your  parents’  God  hath  prom¬ 
ised  to  care  for  you.  Choose  him  for  your 
portion,  and  then  if  we  both  leave  you  exposed 
to  the  waves  of  a  dangerous  world,  the  faith¬ 
fulness  of  an  unchanging  Jehovah  is  engaged  to 
pilot  you  safe  into  that  haven  where  we  shall 
meet  you  all  again,  being  bound  up  together 
in  the  bundle  of  life,  with  the  Lord  our  God. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  173 

‘‘Farewell,  in  particular,  my  ever  dear  hus¬ 
band:  how  was  our  friendship  ripened  almost 
to  the  maturity  of  heaven!  How  tenderly  and 
closely  are  our  hearts  still  knit  together!  Nor 
shall  the  sweet  union  be  dissolved  by  death; 
but  being  one  in  Christ,  we  shall  be  one  for¬ 
ever.  Mourn  not  that  I  go  to  him  first.  He 
saw  it  best  for  my  weakness:  my  feeble  frame 
might  not  have  supported  your  absence!  A 
very  little  while,  and  you  will  follow  me;  and 
0,  with  what  joy  shall  I  welcome  your  arrival 
on  the  eternal  shore,  and  conduct  you  to  Him 
whom  our  souls  love!  Tdl  then  adieu,  my 
dearest  companion  in  heaven’s  road,  whom 
God  in  the  greatest  mercy  gave  to  me.  I 
leave  thee  with  the  most  grateful  sensations 
for  all  the  kind  tokens  of  affection  which  I 
have  ever  had  from  thee.  For  all  thy  care, 
thy  love,  thy  prayers,  I  bless  my  God  and 
thank  thee.  But  I  now  go  to  Jesus,  who  is 
yet  infinitely  dearer  to  me.  With  him  I  leave 
thee,  nor  doubt  his  care,  who  hath  loved  and 
given  himself  for  thee.  It  is  but  a  short  sepa¬ 
ration;  our  spirits  shall  soon  reunite,  and  then 
never,* never  know  separation  more! 

“Farewell  to  all  my  dear  friends:  weep  not 
for  me,  but  love  my  God.  0,  make  your 
peace  with  him,  and  you  shall  follow  me  to 
glory:  he  is  worthy  of  your  hearts,  and  only 
he!  0,  give  them  wholly  to  him!  I  have  not 
served  my  God  for  naught:  I  have  lived  a 
heaven  below  in  Jesus’  love;  and  now  eter¬ 
nally  shall  praise  the  glories  of  his  grace! 


174 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

And  you  who  know  my  God,  0  love  him 
more,  and  never  leave  him;  so  will  he  be  to 
you  what  he  is  now  to  me.  Continue  ‘  stead¬ 
fast  and  immovable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord:’  for,  I  can  testify  to  his 
glory,  ‘your  labor  shall  not  be  in  vain.’  Be 
faithful  unto  death,  and  he  will  give  you  a 
crown  of  life;  which  I  am  now  hastening  to 
receive.  ‘The  chariots  of  Israel,  and  the 
horsemen  thereof/  [2  Kings  ii,  12,]  are  all  in 
waiting  to  carry  me  home! 

‘See  the  guardian  angels  nigh, 

Wait  to  waft  my  soul  on  high! 

See  the  golden  gates  display’d, 

See  the  crown  to  grace  my  head! 

See  a  flood  of  sacred  light 
Which  shall  yield  no  more  to-night; 
Transitory  world,  farewell, 

Jesus  calls  with  him  to  dwell!’ 

“He  cries,  ‘Arise,  my  love,  my  fair  one, 
and  come  away.’  Amen,  saith  my  willing, 
joyful  soul,  ‘even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus.’  My 
soul  is  on  the  wing.  Burst  asunder,  ye  bonds 
of  clay,  which  hold  me  from  my  love!  how 
welcome  the  stroke  that  shall  break  down  these 
separating  walls,  knock  off  my  fetters,  throw 
open  my  prison  doors,  and  set  me  at  liberty! 
This  corruptible  body,  this  tottering  house'Af 
clay,  which  now  can  not  sustain  this  weight 
of  love,  shall  soon  be  made  a  glorious  body 
incorruptible:  « 

‘Shall  the  stars  and  sun  outshine, 

Shout  among  the  sons  of  glory ; 

All  immortal,  all  divine!’ 

And  able  then  to  enjoy  the  full  fruition  of  my 


175 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

God.  Yes,  I  shall  soon  see  him  as  he  is;  not 
through  a  glass  darkly,  but  face  to  face.  The 
beatific  sight 

‘  Shall  fill  the  heavenly  courts  with  praise, 

And  wide  diffuse  the  golden  blaze 

Of  everlasting  light.’ 

‘Waiting  to  receive  my  spirit, 

Lo,  my  Savior  stands  above; 

Shows  the  purchase  of  his  merit; 

Reaches  out  the  crown  of  love.’ 

“Angels  surround  my  bed  to  carry  me 
away.  I  come,  I  come,  blest  messengers  of 
my  God!  Haste  and  convey  me  to  his  loved 
embrace!  My  faith  already  beholds  the  cru¬ 
cified  Redeemer;  methinks  I  see  him  smile, 
while  around  him  stand  the  heavenly  host  ex¬ 
ulting!  0  glorious  train  of  blood-bought 
souls!  What  an  innumerable  company!  And 
I  shall  join  the  choir; 

‘Shall  shout  by  turns  the  bursting  joy; 

And  all  eternity  employ, 

In  songs  around  the  throne.’ 

“How  delightful  the  theme!  It  hath  set 
my  soul  on  fire;  yet  I  can  not  express  a  thou¬ 
sandth  part  of  my  ideas,  or  the  prospect  that 
lies  before  me.  But  I  shall  prove  the  unutter¬ 
able  bliss!  The  inheritance  is  mine!  A  fore¬ 
taste  now  I  feel!  Na y,  so  am  I  filled  with 
glory  and  with  God,  that  more  I  could  not  bear 
and  live!  0,  may  I  ever  feel  the  sacred  flame, 
and  through  eternity  proclaim  the  depth  of 
Jesus’  love!  Amen  and  amen.” 

Hester  Ann  Rogers. 


176 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


THOUGHTS  OH  A  FUTURE  STATE, 

OCCASIONED  BY  THE  DEATH  OF  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 
By  a  young  lady  who  met  in  her  class. 

Air  built  and  baseless  all  are  earth’s  delights, 

And  grief  intrudes  into  their  noblest  hights; 

To  changes  subject,  and  to  ills  a  pre}r, 

They  bud  and  wither  in  a  winter’s  day; 

And  like  the  unfriendly  plant  of  sense  too  quick, 

Bloom  at  a  distance,  but  when  touch’d  grow  sick: 

What  calls  on  man  to  look  beyond  this  sphere, 

Since  he ’s  immortal,  and  all ’s  mortal  here! 

If  endless  life,  and  lasting  summers  wait, 

To  crown  us  when  we  leave  this  wintry  state, 

How  should  eaeh  change  instruct  us  to  be  wise, 

And  tell  us  we  are  natives  of  the  skies! 

But,  sure  of  bliss — if  aught  deserves  the  name — 

Fair  friendship's  pleasures  must  the  title  claim: 

Her  joys  are  mighty,  but  they  often  fail, 

For  while  in  mortal  robes,  e’en  she  is  frail ; 

Ah,  yes,  Celestial  friendship’s  tears  must  flow, 

While  memory  lasts,  or  we  thy  absence  know; 

Full  oft  we  trace  the  happy  moments  fled, 

When  we  to  noblest  joys  by  thee  were  led; 

And  while  we  talk’d  of  heaven,  and  learn’d  the  way, 
Mercy  divine  let  in  a  beam  of  day,  ^ 

Till  faith  and  hope  exulting  soar’d  on  high, 

And  each  affection  centered  in  the  sky; 

We  long’d  to  clap  th’  immortal  wing,  and  praise 
In  louder  songs  the  source  of  boundless  grace, 

Where  no  dull  sense,  or  intermediate  cloud, 

Can  ever  the  Redeemer’s  presence  shroud, 

But  love  unbounded,  and  ecstatic  joy, 

Burst  forth  in  endless  songs  without  annoy. 

But  scenes  elapsed  I’ll  leave,  while  I  presume, 

With  daring  thought,  to  penetrate  the  gloom 
That  hides  immortal  things  from  mortal  view, 

And  humbly  thy  enraptured  flight  pursue 
To  worlds  of  bliss,  complete  fruition’s  hight, 

Perfect  existence,  and  immediate  sight. 

O,  had  we  seen  thee  when  the  vail  withdrew, 

And  thy  freed  spirit  from  its  prison  flew! 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


177 


What  floods  of  glory  burst  upon  thy  sight. 

What  songs  melodious  rung  through  ether  bright, 

As  heavenly  spirits  led  thee  through  the  sky, 

’Midst  blazing  suns,  and  rolling  worlds  on  high; 

While  joyful  friends  throng’d  thick  the  heavenly  way, 
And  hail’d  thee  to  the  bright  abodes  of  day; 

Then  joining  in  their  songs  of  triumph  high, 

The  loud  hosannas  echo’d  through  the  sky. 

And  now  what  mighty  joys  thy  powers  surprise, 
Stretch’d  out  from  mortal  to  immortal  size; 
Surrounded,  fill’d,  absorb’d  in  Godhead’s  sea, 

And  wrapp’d  in  visions  of  the  Deity, 

Yet  not  o’erwhelm’d,  bewilder’d,  or  confused, 

Thy  nature  so  with  the  divine  infused, 

So  fitted  to  thy  state,  so  pure  and  high, 

That  heaven’s  profounds  suit  thy  capacity. 

Thy  glow-worm  knowledge  here  by  faith  begun, 

In  open  vision  bursts  into  a  sun; 

Thy  senses  large,  congenial  with  the  skies, 

Wake  to  new  life,  and  into  action  rise. 

By  intuition  now,  all  ear,  all  sight, 

Perception  all,  and  piercing  as  the  light, 

Thou  need’st  no  medium  to  convey  delight, 

With  open  face  thou  view’st  the  eternal  Three, 

In  union  join’d,  a  glorious  Trinity! 

And  at  the  view  increasing  raptures  flow, 

While  proving  “’tis  eternal  life  to  know.”* 

Thou  view’st  unvailed  the  attributes  divine, 

Which  in  unrival’d  beauty  round  thee  shine. 

Adoring  the  transcendent  harmony, 

Which  joins  them  all  in  man’s  redemption  free. 

Alike  by  thee  his  government’s  survey’d, 

Where’er  his  all-creative  power’s  displayed. 

Allow’d  his  circling  providence  to  trace 
From  heaven’s  first  order  to  the  reptile  race: 

Here  wonders  new  create  sublime  delight, 

And  holy  praise  breaks  forth  at  every  sight. 

Nor  less  his  grace  thy  searching  mind  employs, 
Since  “angels  o’er  a  penitent  rejoice ;”f 
Here  they  discover  mercy’s  richest  store, 

And  endless  cause  to  wonder  and  adore. 


*  John  xvii,  3. 


12 


t  Lake  xv,  10. 


178 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Now  thou  well  know’st  the  secret  works  of  grace, 
Which  first  attracted  thee  to  seek  his  face, 

And  hence  pursuing  all  the  steps  divine. 

Which  through  thy  life  in  ceaseless  mercies  shine; 

The  end  discovering  of  each  grief  and  pain, 

Why  they  were  sent,  and  what  the  endless  gain: 

Alike  survey’d  in  every  hidden  snare, 

Escaped  by  thee  through  providential  care; 

A  thousand  blessings  now  to  thee  are  known, 

O’er  which  on  earth  a  pierceless  vail  was  thrown. 

What  funds  of  pleasure  must  such  views  supply. 

And  themes  for  praise  throughout  eternity  1 
Creation’s  works  are  open  to  thy  sight, 

From  lifeless  matter  to  the  seraph  bright: 

What  wonders  in  the  world  of  spirits  shine, 

Expressive  of  their  origin  divine! 

Here  beings  high  and  things  inanimate, 

Which  still  retain  their  pure  primeval  state. 

Are  understood  by  thee,  whose  piercing  eye 
Can  into  being’s  inmost  essence  pry; 

And  if  revisiting  this  nether  sphere. 

How  differently  each  object  must  appear! 

No  longer  can  the  surface  bound  thy  sight, 

But  nature’s  secret  springs  are  brought  to  light; 

And  God  appears  diffused  throughout  the  whole, 

The  source  of  life — creation’s  living  soul. 

Is  such  thy  knowledge  of  thy  glorious  Lord? 

Then  sure  thy  love  in  measure  must  accord; 
Possessing  now  the  end  thy  soul  pursued, 

In  near  fruition  of  its  perfect  good ; 

No  more — as  here — frail  nature  sinks  opprest. 

When  wdth  peculiar  revelation  blest; 

Then  words  were  lost  in  love’s  immense  abyss, 

And  silence  best  express’d  the  unutter’d  bliss. 

(What  proof  that  love  is  heaven’s  commencement  here, 
Since  mortal,  language  sinks  beneath  its  sphere. 

Praise  aims  in  vain  to  set  its  glories  forth, 

And  only  songs  celestial  gave  it  birth:) 

But  now  at  large,  uncircumscribed  and  free, 

Thy  vast  affections  feed  on  Deity; 

Ecstatic  love  in  holy  rapture  flows, 

Increasing  ever  as  thy  knowledge  grows: 

In  full  enjoyment  and  immediate  sight, 

Of  him  whose  beauties  are  thy  sole  delight, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Thy  praise  unwearied,  must  forever  flow, 

And  pleasures  no  embarrassment  can  know: 
Renew’d  by  having  his  continual  smile, 

No  doubt  intruding  thy  delights  to  spoil, 

But  large  returns  forever  flow  to  thee, 

Of  mutual  love  and  sweet  complacency. 

And  joy — love’s  first-born  offspring — lives  to  prove 
And  celebrate  the  jubilee  above; 

Immediate  drafts  receiving  from  the  throne. 

While  thy  loved  Savior  makes  his  joy  thy  own, 
Thou  shar’st  in  all  his  glorious  victories, 

Exulting  o’er  its  vanquish’d  enemies, 

Ascribing  endless  glories  to  his  name, 

And  ever  crying,  “  Worthy  is  the  Lamb 

Who  wash’d  our  robes  ancl  conquer’d  all  our  foes, 

And  now  on  us  eternal  life  bestows:” 

And  fresh  discoveries  of  unfathom’d  love 
Will  through  eternity  thy  joys  improve. 

Are  such  the  glories  of  thy  perfect  state? 

Then  thy  employments  must  alike  be  great- 
For  spirit  is  to  action  ever  bent, 

And  torpid  rest  is  not  its  element. 

Art  thou  engaged  in  acts  to  us  unknown 
Of  solemn  worship  ’fore  the  eternal  throne, 

Which  all  thy  mighty  faculties  employ, 

And  give  full  scope  to  wonder,  love,  and  joy? 

Or  sent  to  this  terrene  on  errands  kind, 

Perhaps  to  soothe  thy  partner’s  fainting  mind 
When  deep-felt  grief’s  impetuous  tempests  blow, 
Or  secret  tears  from  silent  anguish  flow? 

Then  to  administer  the  cordial  sweet, 

And  lead  his  views  to  yon  celestial  seat, 

Where  kindred  souls  in  sweet  enjoyment  meet? 

Or  dost  thou  come  a  guardian  angel  bright. 

O’er  the  dear  objects  o'f  thy  late  delight, 

Averting  danger,  and  instilling  truth 
In  soft  instructions  to  their  tender  youth? 

Or  dost  thou  visit  those  with  kind  solace 
Who  were  thy  pupils  in  the  school  of  grace? 

O,  have  I  ever  felt  thy  friendly  power 
Conducting  me  through  dark  temptation’s  hour, 
And  taken,  when  unconscious  of  thy  aid, 

The  cup  of  comfort  by  thy  hand  convey’d? 
Reviving  thought!  it  dries  the  tear  of  woe, 

Since  friendship  lives  more  perfect  than  below. 


180 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Nor  less  ’tis  likely  that  thy  guardian  hand 
Supports  thy  friends  along  thy  shadowy  land 
"When  life  is  hov’ring  on  the  short’ning  breath, 

And  its  warm  current  gently  cools  in  death; 

Then  bearing  the  triumphant  soul  away. 

Thou  aid’st  its  anthems  in  the  courts  of  day, 

And  mixing  with  the  brilliant  hosts  above, 

Recount’st  the  wonders  of  redeeming  love; 

While  list’ning  angels  hear  with  sweet  surprise; 

And  gusts  of  halleluiahs  ring  the  skies. 

Now  fellowship  is  perfect  and  complete 

Where  thought  communes  with  thought,  and  notions  rpeet, 

And  swift  as  lightning  distant  souls  can  reach, 

With  clear  expression  far  surpassing  speech; 

Thus  fitted  for  sublime  society, 

With  beings  of  consummate  purity, 

Thou  hold’st  high  converse  with  angelic  choirs, 

Cherub,  and  seraph,  and  with  human  sires, 

With  all  the  glorious  hosts  around  the  throne, 

Perhaps  with  beings  yet  to  us  unknown, 

Gather’d  from  num’rous  worlds  remote  from  ours, 

And  form’d  with  various  faculties  and  powers; 

While  each  the  victories  of  grace  declare. 

And  countless  acts  of  providential  care: 

Then  joining  in  melodious  strains  of  praise, 

To  mercy’s  center,  and  the  source  of  grace, 

Each  happy  soul  takes  in  large  drafts  of  joy, 

And  unconceived  delights  thy  powers  employ. 

Say,  does  some  spirit — perhaps  thy  infant  son,* 

For  sure  by  thee  he ’s  still  beloved  and  known — 

Direct  thy  flight  along  the  ethereal  way, 

Where  suns  unnumber’d  burn,  and  comets  stray, 

To  some  new  workmanship  of  power  divine, 

Where  beings  in  Adamic  glory  shine, 

And  uncursed  nature  all  harmonious  glows, 

And  shining  fair  its  Maker’s  glory  shows. 

Here  wonders  rise  on  wonders  to  thy  view. 

In  objects  fair,  immaculate,  and  new; 

And  seem  with  thee  in  concert  sweet  to  join, 

In  one  delightful  hymn  of  praise  divine. 

Are  such  as  these  thy  blest  employs  on  high? 

While  God  is  all  in  all,  and  ever  nigh; 

*  Who  died  in  the  year  1789,  at  the  age  of  six  weeks. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


181 


For  wide-extended  space  is  full  of  him, 

Nor  aught  thy  ever- waking  sight  can  dim; 

Hence,  though  engaged  at  nature’s  utmost  bound, 

Thy  heaven,  thy  God,  must  still  thy  soul  surround. 

But  cease  my  vent’rous  thought,  too  apt  to  fly 
To  things  for  thy  capacity  too  high: 

Since  ear  hath  never  heard,  nor  eye  beheld, 

Th’  immortal  glories  of  the  upper  world, 

And  all  is  bold  chimera  at  the  best, 

In  darkness  form’d,  and  wrapt  in  errors,  rest; 

Nor  thought  can  paint,  nor  language  give  them  birth, 
And  faint  descriptions  but  degrade  their  worth; 

Hence  Tin  constrain’d  the  subject  to  dismiss, 

Till  made  with  her  a  fellow-heir  of  bliss. 

May  15,  1795. 


AN  ELEGY 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

By  a  lady,  who  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  her  maternal  instructions 
in  the  way  of  glory. 

SAY,  shall  the  muse,  in  plaintive,  weeping  strains, 

A  dear  departed  pious  friend  lament! 

Or  join  the  host  on  yonder  glorious  plains, 

To  greet,  with  triumph,  the  victorious  saint1? 

A  conquering  warrior,  who  return’d  from  fight, 

Has  gloriously  her  every  foe  subdued, 

And  now  reposes  in  the  plains  of  light, 

And  triumphs  in  the  presence  of  her  God. 

Can  we,  who  sojourn  in  the  vale  of  life — 

Who  still  each  anxious,  painful  trial,  know — 

Desire  to  lengthen  out  the  mortal  strife, 

Ot  one  so  fully  meet  from  earth  to  go? 

Can  we  the  breathings  of  her  spirit  trace, 

Behold  the  ardor  of  her  panting  soul ; 

Her  steadfast  care  to  run-th’  appointed  race, 

Her  longing  to  attain  the  heavenly  goal? 

Her  deep  communion  with  the  God  of  love, 

To  feel  whose  presence  was  her  soul’s  delight; 

Her  life  of  faith  conceal’d  with  Christ  above, 

INow  changed  into  the  beatific  sight. 


182 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Say,  can  we  view,  and  wish  to  stop  her  flight, 

Even  for  a  moment  to  the  world  recall's 

O  that  her  glory  on  our  souls  may  light  1 
On  us  some  portion  of  her  spirit  fall! 

No,  surely,  here  we’ll  bid  our  tears  farewell, 

And  triumph  with  the  saint  to  glory  gone; 

With  her  the  praise  of  our  Redeemer  tell — 

Above,  below,  the  triumph  is  but  one. 

Ah,  no!  ’tis  not  the  dead  demands  our  tears, 

But  for  ourselves,  alas!  our  sorrows  flow; 

We  joy  in  her  escape  from  grief  and  fears, 

To  where  the  tree  of  life  and  pleasures  grow. 

But  by  a  double  tie  she  claim’d  our  love, 

And  lo,  at  once,  we  mourn  a  friend  and  guide! 

Oft  has  she  led  our  soul  to  things  above, 

And  sweetly  pointed  to  the  Crucified. 

Deeply  experienced,  Satan’s  wiles  she  knew, 

And  bid  us  of  his  dang’rous  baits  beware; 

Set  forth  the  Savior’s  love  forever  new, 

Watching  our  souls  with  constant  tender  care. 

Full  well  she  knew  the  goodness  of  her  Lord, 

And  wish’d  that  all  with  her  his  love  might  feel. 

For  this  his  mercy  she  to  all  declared, 

With  humble  gratitude  and  pious  zeal. 

To  youth,  or  age,  her  kind  advice  she  gave, 

Alike  by  youth  or  age  beloved,  revered, 

To  all  adapted,  all  their  souls  to  save, 

Se^me  roused  by  threat’ning,  some  by  comfort  cheer’d. 

Yet  while  she  labor’d  thus,  with  pious  zeal, 

She  ne’er  despised  the  social  calls  of  life, 

But  with  a  conscientious  care  fulfill’d 
The  duties  of  a  parent,  child,  and  wife. 

Thus  while  on  earth  her  Master’s  work  she  wrought, 
And  now  her  Lord  has  said,  “  Enough  is  done; 

Thv  arms  lay  down' — the  fight  of  faith  js  fought, 

The  prize  of  everlasting  glory ’s  won.” 

Thrice  happy *saint!  no  more  our  tears  shall  flow, 

No  more  our  selfish  hearts  thy  loss  shall  mourn; 

Be  this  our  aim,  like  thee  our  God  to  know, 

That  with  like  joy  we  may  to  heaven  return. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


183 


And  thou,  dear  partner  of  her  joys  and  cares, 

What  consolation  can  a  friend  impart — 

A  child  of  your  united  faith  and  prayers — 

To  ease  the  sorrows  of  a  wounded  heart? 

Short  is  the  time  of  man’s  appointed  space. 

Soon  will  this  transitory  life  be  gone; 

Then  shall  your  soul  its  dearer  part  embrace. 

And  stand  with  her  before  yon  glorious  throne! 

Even  now,  by  faith,  your  soul  with  hers  shall  join. 

And  learn  the  strains  of  the  seraphic  throng; 

Till  all  renew’d  in  purity  divine. 

You  sing  in  heaven  the  never-ceasing  song! 

Agnes  Bulmer. 


SPIRITUAL  LETTERS. 

Letter  I. —  Written  in  the  nineteenth  year  of 
her  age,  to  a  lady  of  considerable  rank  and 
fortune,  who,  being  offended  at  her  turning 
Methodist,  required  an  account  of  her  con¬ 
duct  for  so  doing. 

Macclesfield,  November  12,  1775. 

Dear  and  Honored  Madam, — I  beg  leave  to 
return  you  my  most  sincere  and  bumble  thanks 
for  your  kind  letter  and  advice;  and  as  you 
are  so  kind  as  to  express  a  concern  on  my  ac¬ 
count,  I  hope  you  will  pardon  the  liberty,  and 
allow  me  to  say  what  is  my  opinion  and  belief, 
and  on  what  alone  I  can  build  any  hopes  of 
heaven  and  happiness. 

Man,  as  he  came  out  of  the  hands  of  the 
Creator,  was  perfectly  holy  and  happy.  In 
him  shone  all  those  amiable  and  lovely  attri¬ 
butes  of  the  Deity — goodness,  truth,  justice, 


184 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


mercy,  and  love.  But,  by  disobeying  the  Di¬ 
vine  command,  he  entailed  upon  himself  and 
his  whole  posterity — for  he  acted  as  the  parent 
or  head  of  all  mankind — the  sure  wages  of 
sin,  which  is  death — death  temporal,  spirit¬ 
ual,  and  eternal.  The  body  of  man  became 
that  day  mortal;  his  soul  spiritually  dead, 
and  he  was  every  moment  liable  to  death 
eternal.  The  guilt  of  Adam,  and  the  deprav¬ 
ity  of  soul  which  he  contracted  by  the  fall, 
immediately  devolved  upon  his  unhappy  off¬ 
spring.  And,  we  are  told,  when  he  begat  a 
son,  it  was  in  his  own  likeness,  after  his  image: 
so  that  now  man  rs  born  in  sin,  and  under  the 
wrath  of  God:  and  if  he  die  in  that  state,  will 
stand  exposed  to  the  sentence  of  .eternal  death. 
And  what  can  a  lost  man  do  in  this  case! 
Atonement  for  himself,  or  offering  meet,  he 
hath  none  to  bring;  and  to  pardon  sinners 
without  a  satisfaction,  would  not  be  what  is 
commonly  called  mercy,  but  it  would  be  giv¬ 
ing  up  the  essential  glories  of  the  Godhead. 
What  must  be  done  then?  Why,  God  of  his 
free  grace,  and  unlimited  bounty,  has  provided 
a  ransom,  an  all-sufficient  ransom,  even  his 
well -beloved  Son!  He  who  is  the  brightness 
of  his  Father’s  glory,  and  the  express  image 
of  his  person,  became  man  to  die,  that  man 
might  live. 

All  that  was  necessary  to  be  done  to  com¬ 
plete  our  salvation  consisted  chiefly  in  these 
three  things:  First,  a  perfect  obedience  to  the 
divine  law\  Secondly,  an  infinitely-meritorious 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


185 


satisfaction  to  the  law  and  government  of  God, 
for  the  dishonor  brought  upon  them  by  the  sin 
of  man:  Thirdly,  a  restoration  of  the  moral 
image  of  God  to  the  soul,  which  image  was 
lost  by  the  fall  of  man.  The  lirst  of  these 
was  completed  by  the  life  of  our  Redeemer; 
the  second  by  his  death;  and  the  third  is  ef¬ 
fected  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  This  provision — 
ample  provision — is  n#ide  for  the  salvation  of 
man,  so  that  God  can  preserve  untainted  his 
adorable  perfections;  or,  as  St.  Paul  declares, 
he  can  now  be  just,  and  yet  justify  and  save 
penitent,  believing  man. 

That  Christ  suffered  in  the  place  of  sinners, 
is  expressed  by  St.  Peter  in  these  words, 
“Who,  his  own  self,  bare  our  sins  in  his  own 
body  on  the  tree.”  Also,  Isaiah  saith,  “  Surely 
he  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sor¬ 
rows.  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions, 
he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities.  All  we, 
like  sheep,  have  gone  astray;  we  have  turned 
every  one  to  his  own  way,  and  the  Lord  hath 
laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all.”  St.  Paul 
saith,  “He  hath  made  him  to  be  sin  for  us, 
who  knew  no  sin,  that  we  might  be  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  him.”  And  again, 
in  the  third  chapter  of  the  Romans,  he  saith, 
“There  is  none  righteous,  no,  not  one;  there 
is  none  that  understandetli;  there  is  none  that 
seeketh  after  God;  they  are  all  gone  out  of 
the  way;  they  are  together  become  unprofita¬ 
ble;  there  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no,  not 
one.”  Therefore,  he  adds,  “By  the  deeds  of 


186 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


the  law  there  shall  no  flesh  be  justified  in  his 
sight.  But  now  the  righteousness  which  is 
without  the  law  is  manifest,  being  witnessed 
by  the  law  and  the  prophets;  even  the  right¬ 
eousness  of  God,  which  is  by  faith  in  Jesus 
Christ,  unto  all,  and  upon  all  them  that  be¬ 
lieve;  for  there  is  no  difference,  for  all  have 
sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God. 
Being  justified  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the 
redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus:  whom  God 
hath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation  through  faith 
in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteousness  for 
the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  through 
the  forbearance  of  God:  to  declare,  I  say,  at 
this  time,  his  righteousness,  that  he  might  be 
just,  and  the  justifier  of  him  that  belie veth  in 
Jesus.” 

With  St.  Paul,  then,  I  would  go  on  and 
ask,  “Where  is  boasting  then?  It  is  excluded. 
By  what  law?  Of  works ?  Nay:  but  by  the 
law  of  faith.  Therefore,  we  conclude,  that  a 
man  is  justified  by  faith,  without  the  deeds  of 
the  law.  For,  to  him  that  worketh  is  the  re¬ 
ward  not  reckoned  of  grace,  but  of  debt;  but 
to  him  that  worketh  not,  but  believeth  on  him 
that  justifieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted 
for  righteousness.  Even  as  David  also  de- 
scribeth  the  blessedness  of  the  man  unto  whom 
God  imputeth  righteousness  without  works, 
saying,  Blessed  are  they  whose  iniquities  are 
forgiven,  and  whose  sins  are  covered.  Blessed 
is  the  man  unto  whom  the  Lord  will  not  im¬ 
pute  sin.  Abraham  believed  God,  and  it  was 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


187 


imputed  to  him  for  righteousness.  Now,  it 
was  not  written  for  his  sake  alone  that  it  was 
imputed  to  him;  but  for  us  also,  to  whom  it 
shall  be  imputed,  if  we  believe  on  him  that 
raised  up  Jesus  our  Lord  from  the  dead;  who 
was  delivered  for  our  offenses,  and  was  raised 
again  for  our  justification.,,  Now,  from  all 
these,  and  many  more  texts  of  holy  Scripture 
which  might  be  named,  I  believe,  and  am 
sure,  that  works  are  not  the  meritorious  cause 
of  our  salvation,  yet  I  believe  they  are  abso¬ 
lutely  necessary,  and  will  follow  as  the  sure 
and  inseparable  fruits  of  a  true  faith.  If  you 
will  be  kind  enough  to  read  the  eleventh, 
twelfth,  and  thirteenth  articles  of  the  Church 
of  England,  they  will  further  explain  my 
meaning. 

But  there  is  a  third  thing  also  necessary  to 
our  salvation;  which  is,  that  the  image  of  God 
be  restored  to  the  soul.  Now,  this  is  done  in 
regeneration.  Our  Savior  assures  us,  “Except 
a  man  be  born  again,  he  can  not  see  the  king- 
dom  of  God.”  And  again,  “Except  ye  be 
converted,  and  become  as  little  children,  ye 
shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.” 
Nor  indeed  are  we  fit  for  it,  till  renewed  by 
the  Spirit  of  God.  For,  were  it  possible  to  be 
admitted  there,  we  could  not  enjoy  the  pure 
and  spiritual  delight  of  the  saints  above. 
Their  joy  consists  in  an  entire  freedom  from 
all  sin  and  corruption;  and  in  serving,  adoring, 
praising  the  Father  of  all  their  mercies,  the 
Son  of  his  love,  and  Spirit  of  holiness.  And 


188 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


they  are  so  far  from  being  weary  of  this,  that 
they  think  eternity  too  short  to  utter  all  his 
praise!  How  irksome  would  be  an  eternity 
spent  in  this  manner,  to  a  person  who  never 
had  his  affections  spiritualized,  and  his  will 
brought  into  a  conformity  to  the  will  of  God? 
This  is  a  change  which  must  be  wrought  in 
this  world:  for  there  is  no  repentance  in  the 
grave:  as  death  leaves  us,  judgment  will  find 
us.  Then,  “He  that  is  unjust  shall  be  unjust 
still;  he  that  is  filthy  shall  be  filthy  still;  he 
that  is  righteous  shall  be  righteous  still;  and 
he  that  is  holy  shall  be  holy  still!”  The  Holy 
Ghost  is  the  author  of  this  conversion  or  new 
birth;  for  no  man  hath  quickened  his  own  soul. 
It  is  He  that  must  begin,  carry  on,  and  com¬ 
plete  it. 

“Now,  if  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  he  is  none  of  his.  And  the  fruits  of 
this  Spirit  are  ‘love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering, 
gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temper¬ 
ance;  against  such  there  is  no  law.  And  they 
that  are  Christ’s,  have  crucified  the  flesh  with 
its  affections  and  lusts.  If  any  man  be  in 
Christ  he  is  a  new  creature:  old  things  are 
passed  away;  behold,  all  things  are  become 
new.’  And  Jesus  Christ  is  made  of  God  unto 
us  ‘wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and 
redemption;  that  according  as  it  is  written,  he 
that  glorieth,  let  him  glory  in  the  Lord.  God 
forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  the  world 
is  crucified  unto  me,  and  I  unto  the  world.’  ” 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  189 

This,  dear  madam,  is  what  I  believe,  and 
this,  I  think,  is  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God, 
and  to  the  articles  and  homilies  of  the  Church 
of  England;  and  no  schism  of  the  Church  of 
Christ.  Forfeiting  your  love  and  friendship 
is  a  great  trial;  but  believe  me,  when  I  think 
of  seeking  salvation  in  any  other  way,  it  seems 
as  a  sword  piercing  my  very  heart!  And  see¬ 
ing  my  dear  mother  so  very  unhappy  on  my 
account,  gives  me  more  grief  than  I  can  ex¬ 
press;  and  the  thought  of  my  being  detri¬ 
mental  to  her  in  worldly  things,  and  that  my 
conduct  should  make  you  less  her  friend, 
seems  strange,  and  is  to  me  very  afflicting. 
But  I  think  these  things  ought  not  to  be  urged 
too  far,  especially  when  the  soul  is  concerned. 

I  am  afraid  I  have  tired  your  patience,  so 
will  hasten  to  subscribe  myself,  honored  mad¬ 
am,  your  most  obliged  and  dutiful  daughter, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  II. — To  Mr.  Robert  Roe ,  when  at  col¬ 
lege ,  about  six  months  after  his  conversion. 

Macclesfield,  November  13,  177G. 

Dear  Cousin, — As  I  find,  by  your  brother, 
you  have  been  reasoning  with  the  enemy  of 
your  soul,  and  thereby,  in  some  measure,  have 
distressed  your  own  mind;  and  as  you  request 
me  to  write,  I  dare  not  refuse,  for  I  know  God 
can  use  the  weakest  instruments  to  comfort 
his  children;  and  often  does,  that  we  may 


190  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

ascribe  all  glory  to  liim  alone.  May  He  who 
comforteth  those  who  are  cast  down,  be  yonr 
support! 

As  to  your  falling  from  God,  I  do  not  fear 
it;  and  I  am  sure  it  is  your  happy  privilege 
constantly  to  rejoice  in  his  love — that  love 
which  so  clearly  spoke  your  sins  forgiven. 
Oppose  that  adversary  of  your  soul  by  faith; 
this  shield — saith  an  apostle — “shall  quench 
all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked.”  Be  reso¬ 
lute,  and  determine  to  conquer.  Jesus  in  our 
nature  hath  bruised  the  serpent’s  head;  and 
your  union  with  your  living  Head  will  give 
you  power  to  conquer  too.  Fear  not,  saith 
God,  for  I  will  help  thee.  By  a  simple  living 
faith  cleave  constantly  to  Jesus,  and  though 
earth  and  hell  combine,  they  shall  not  be  able 
to  overcome  or  hurt  you.  Believe  even  against 
hope!  and  when  things  seem  impossible  to  you , 
weak  and  helpless  as  you  are,  remember  they 
are  possible  with  God.  Lay  open  to  him  your 
every  care: 

“His  heart  is  made  of  tenderness: 

His  bowels  melt  with  love.” 

He  delighteth  not  to  see  his  children  mourning, 
cast  down,  and  oppressed;  but  kindly  saith, 
“I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless,  I  will  come 
unto  you:”  and  again,  “I  will  send  you  the 
Spirit  of  truth,  that  he  may  abide  with  you 
forever.”  The  privileges  of  a  justified  soul 
are  very  great;  for,  “if  a  child,  then  an  heir, 
an  heir  of  God,” — of  all  his  promises.  Praise 
God  that  you  feel  the  necessity  of  heart  holi- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


191 


ness,  and  press  after  it,  even  after  “all  the 
mind  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus.”  He  is  al¬ 
ready  your  wisdom  and  righteousness,  and  he 
will  become  your  sanctification.  0  look  for  it, 
seek  it,  expect  it;  expect  it  as  you  are,  expect 
it  now.  Behold,  saith  God,  I  stand  at  the 
door  and  knock:  open  to  your  Beloved,  and  he 
will  come  in  and  fill  your  happy  soul. 

Be  diligent  in  your  studies.  It  may  be  a 
cross,  but  take  it  up  for  Christ’s  sake,  and  it 
will  not  hurt  your  soul.  Above  all,  continue 
in  prayer;  often  read  the  word  of  God  upon 
your  knees,  and  his  Spirit  will  explain  it  to 
your  heart.  With  respect  to  your  situation, 
or  any  temporal  thing,  be  not  careful;  live  the 
present  moment,  and  lay  no  schemes  for  to¬ 
morrow;  you  may  then  be  in  eternity!  “In¬ 
stead  of  busying  our  minds,”  saith  Mr.  Wes¬ 
ley,  “with  dwelling  on  the  grievous  part  of 
what  is  past  or  to  come,  we  should  remember 
that  the  Gospel  does  not  permit  us  to  dwell  on 
any  thing  but  the  presence  and  love  of  God 
who  fills  our  souls.”  However  you  may  be 
tempted,  resolve  you  will  not  reason,  except 
with  the  Lord  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Seek 
more  union  and  communion  with  your  God: 
you  may  attain  much  of  this,  even  before  you 
are  sanctified.  But  0!  never  rest  till  all  your 
evil.  nature  be  destroyed,  and  every  root  of 
bitterness  plucked  up;  till  you  have  given 
your  God  all  your  loving  heart.  And  re¬ 
member  with  him,  ‘/Now  is  the  accepted 
time — now  is  the  day  of  salvation.”  He  can 


192  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

not  be  more  willing  or  more  powerful  than  lie 
is  to-day. 

As  to  myself  I  see  no  end  to  my  Lord’s 
goodness.  I  find  every  day  an  increase  of 
love,  joy,  peace,  and  union,  close,  intimate 
union  with  the  Great  Three  One. 

“All  my  treasure  is  above, 

All  my  riches  is  his  love.” 

I  feel  I  am  very  unworthy,  yet  offering  up 
myself  and  my  services  on  that  altar  which 
sanctifieth  the  gift,  my  God  accepts  a  worthless 
worm,  through  his  beloved  Son.  He  who  is 
higher  than  the  highest,  stoops  to  dwell  in  my 
happy  soul:  and  I  have  communion  with  him 
as  a  man  with  his  friend.  Sometimes  in  the 
night  he  so  fills  my  soul  with  his  glorious 
presence,  that  I  think  it  will  burst  its  prison, 
and  wing  a  wav:  and  then,  0  then,  where 
should  I  be?  Surrounded  with  angels,  and 
convoyed  by  them  to  my  God — my  life,  my 
treasure,  and  my  crown!  I  can  even  now 
scarce  support  the  blissful  thought.  0  what 
a  present  heaven  of  love  I  feel! 

“O  what  are  all  our  sufferings  here, 

If,  Lord,  thou  count  us  meet 
With  that  enraptured  host  t’  appear, 

And  worship  at  thy  feet!” 

It  can  not  be  long  ere  we  lay  these  bodies 
down: 

“Our  conflicts  here  shall  soon  be  past, 

And  you  and  I  ascend  at  last, 

Triumphant  with  our  Head!” 

‘Rejoice  in  glorious  hope; 

Jesus  the  Judge  shall  come, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


193 


And  take  his  servants  up 
To  their  eternal  home: 

We  soon  shall  hear  the  archangel’s  voice, 

The  trump  of  God  shall  sound,  Rejoice!” 

I  remain  your  sincere  friend  in  Jesus, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  III. — To  the  same. 

Macclesfield,  December  10,  1776. 

My  Dear  Cousin, — I  am  thankful  if  my 
letter  was  any  comfort  to  your  mind;  to  God 
be  all  the  glory!  I  hope  you  are  now  enabled 
to  rejoice,  and  are  filled  with  that  peace  which 
from  believing  flows.  I  hope  your  heavenly 
intercourse  is  open,  and  that  day  by  day  you 
open  still  wider  the  door  of  your  heart,  that 
you  may  more  and  more  be  filled  with  God. 

“Ready  are  you  to  receive. 

Readier  is  your  God  to  give.” 

I  trust  your  studies  are  now  made  a  bless¬ 
ing,  and  that  in  them  you  enjoy  the  presence 
of  Jesus.  Let  not  little  difficulties  discourage 
us  who  serve  so  good  a  Master — us  who  have 
in  view  a  heaven  of  glory!  Jesus  left  that 
heaven,  to  suffer,  bleed,  and  die  on  our  behalf: 
0!  then,  let  us  take  up  our  every  cross,  and 
despising  the  shame,  manfully  suffer  with  him! 
Love  makes  all  things  easy: 

“  ’Tis  this  that  makes  our  cheerful  feet 
In  swift  obedience  move; 

’Tis  this  shall  tune  our  joyful  song 
In  those  sweet  realms  above.” 

13 


194  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

I  long  to  be  all  dissolved  in  love;  for  “God  is 
love;  and  he  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dwelleth  in 
God,  and  God  in  him.” 

I  have  had  many  trials  and  some  tempta¬ 
tions  of  late;  but  I  am  firmly  persuaded  that 
while  I  cleave  simply  to  Jesus,  nothing  shall 
be  able  to  separate  me  from  liis  love:  no,  nor 
to  lessen  the  divine  flame  which  I  feel  contin¬ 
ually  burning  in  my  heart.  Those  precious 
words,  “My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee,”  shall 
stand  firm  as'  the  pillars  of  heaven:  and  when 
the  enemy  would  tell  me,  In  such  and  such 
a  trial  thou  wilt  be  entangled  and  over¬ 
come,  I  tell  him,  “My  Lord  hath  promised 
strength  equal  to  my  day,”  and  all  his  darts 
are  instantly  repelled.  Nor  do  I  only  conquer: 
but  after  my  enemy  is  put  to  flight,  I  have 
more  love,  more  peace,  and  nearer  union  with 
my  God.  0  the  blessedness  of  intimate  fel¬ 
lowship  with  him!  of  possessing  that  testimony 
that  we  please  him:  surely  it  is  a  taste  of 
heaven:  and  yet  it  is  only  a  drop  out  of  the 
ocean;  as  a  grain  of  sand  compared  with  the 
sands  on  the  sea-shore;  only  the  beginning 
of  an  eternity  of  glory.  0!  for  an  archangel’s 
tongue  to  magnify  our  adorable  Redeemer’s 
name!  We  can  but  lisp  his  praises  here;  but 
we  shall  join  in  nobler  strains  above,  to  praise 
for  evermore  the  Three  in  One: 

“The  heavenly  principle  assures, 

And  swells  my  soul  with  strong  desires, 

To  grasp  the  starry  crown.” 

The  Lord  is  carrying  on  a  glorious  work 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  195 

here.  Our  love-feast  last  week  was  a  blessed 
season  of  the  outpouring  of  his  Spirit:  every 
one  had  reason  to  say,  “'This  is  none  other 
than  the  house  of  God;  this  is  the  gate  of 
heaven.’'  Several,  who  came  there  burdened 
and  heavy-laden,  went  away  rejoicing;  three 
found  a  clear  sense  of  pardon,  and  two  others 
were  set  at  perfect  liberty  from  the  remains  of 
sin.  The  preachers  all  wept  abundantly  tears 
of  joy,  so  were  they  filled  with  God:  and,  in¬ 
deed,  I  believe  there  were  few  dry  eyes.  Mr. 
Percival  says  there  is  just  such  another  pour¬ 
ing  out  of  the  Spirit  in  Bolton:  above  thirty 
joined  the  society  there  in  ten  days.  I  know 
this  will  rejoice  your  heart.  0  let  us  pray 
much  for  a  guilty  world!  I  believe  this  will 
be  a  glorious  year  of  the  power  of  God.  I  do 
not  cease  to  pray  for  you;  and  remain  your 
affectionate  cousin  and  friend, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  IV. — To  Mrs.  Salmon  of  JVantwich. 

Macclesfield,  November  15,  1777. 

Mr  Dear  Sister, — I  received  your  kind 
letter,  which  filled  my  soul  with  praise  on  your 
account.  I  rejoice  to  hear  your  name  is  en¬ 
rolled  with  the  despised  followers  of  a  crucified 
Savior.  I  believe  I  shall  have  reason  to  bless 
God  to  all  eternity  that  I  ever  joined  the 
Methodists.  0  may  my  worthless  name  never 
be  a  dishonor  to  his  glorious  cause  and  people! 


196  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

May  you  and  I,  dear  sister,  never  be  separated 
from  them,  but  by  death;  and  all  of  us  be 
united  to  the  living  Vine,  and  bring  forth 
plenteously  the  fruits  of  righteousness  to  his 
glory  and  praise,  “who  hath  called  us  out  of 
darkness  into  his  marvelous  light !” 

With  Divine  assistance  I  shall  not  cease  to 
cry  to  God  for  Mr.  Salmon,  and  the  little  flock 
committed  to  his  care.  May  their  number  be 
increased  daily;  and  may  they  be  such  as 
shall  be  eternally  saved!  May  holiness  to  the 
Lord  be  the  motto  of  every  heart,  and  his 
praise  dwell  on  every  tongue!  It  becometh 
well  the  just  to  be  thankful;  for  who  is  a  God 
like  to  our  God?  0  how  great  are  his  mer¬ 
cies!  how  innumerable  his  benefits!  We  may 
exclaim  with  David,  “They  are  more  in  num¬ 
ber  than  the  hairs  of  our  head;”  or  with  a 
later  poetr 

‘‘His  nature  and  his  name  is  love.” 

0  let  our  souls  praise  the  Lord,  and  all  that  is 
within  us  magnify  his  glorious  name!  Once 
we  were  darkness,  but  now  we  are  light;  once 
we  were  the  slaves  of  sin  and  Satan,  but  now 
we  are  set  free  in  the  glorious  liberty  of  the 
children  of  God,  and  our  lot  is  among  the 
saints.  Once  we  were  in  our  sins,  and  under 
condemnation;  now  we  are  the  children  of 
God,  and  heirs  of  everlasting  life:  once  we 
were  enemies  to  the  eternal  God  by  wicked 
works  and  tempers;  now  we  are  reconciled 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


197 


through  the  blood  of  his  Son,  and  he  is  become 
our  Father  and  our  Friend.  Such  grace,  such 
love  as  this  demands  our  praises.  Others  may 
boast  of  riches  and  estates,  their  high  birth 
and  parentage;  but  we  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord, 
and  glory  in  the  Rock  of  our  salvation!  We 
are  plucked  as  brands  from  the  burning,  and 
we  will  praise  our  great  Deliverer.  Jesus  is 
our  Redeemer  and  our  Savior,  our  beloved  and 
our  friend;  and  we  will  give  him  our  hearts, 
our  lives,  our  all. 

The  poor  unthinking  multitude  “see  no 
form  nor  comeliness  in  him,  neither  any  beauty 
that  they  should  desire  him;”  but  we  know 
and  prove  that  “he  is  the  chief  among  ten 
thousand,  and  altogether  lovely.”  He  is  the 
friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother;  that 
sympathizes  in  our  infirmities,  and  beareth  our 
sorrows.  He  careth  for  our  necessities,  and 
supplieth  our  wants.  He  strengtheneth  our 
feeble  hands,  and  feedeth  our  hungry  souls 
with  the  manna  of  his  love:  in  him  is  all  we 
want,  and  he  is  all' our  own:  yea,  and  he  will 
be  our  satisfying  portion  forever.  “Happy 
are  the  people  that  are  in  such  a  case;  yea, 
blessed  are  the  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord.” 

My  health  has  been  very  indifferent  for  some 
time:  but,  blessed  be  God!  pain  is  sweet,  and 
life  or  death  is  gain:  I  desire  nothing  but  to 
do  and  suffer  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Father, 
and  to  increase  in  all  the  bight  of  holiness,  in 
all  the  depth  of  humble  love.  I  do  lie  at  the 


198 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


feet  of  Jesus,  and  find  his  love  forever  new. 
Lord,  what  am  I,  that  thou  shouldst  thus  re¬ 
gard  me! 

“He  calls  a  worm  his  friend! 

He  calls  himself  my  God! 

And  he  shall  save  me  to  the  end 
Through  Jesus’  blood.” 

I  hope  my  dear  sister  proves  as  sweetly  as 
I  do  the  great  privilege  of  approaching  a  God 
of  love  in  secret  prayer.  These  are  precious 
seasons  to  me:  here  we  may  disburden  all  our 
cares  and  fears  to  Him  who  can  and  will  save 
to  the  uttermost:  by  this  we  may  renew  our 
covenant  with  the  Great  Three  One,  day  by 
day,  and  receive  from  him  fresh  strength;  and 
in  this  means  may  delightfully  converse  with 
our  Beloved — lay  open  to  him  our  hearts,  and 
praise  him  who  knows  every  secret  there. 
And  how  does  he  melt  the  soul  with  his  over¬ 
whelming  grace,  that  thus  seeketh  him!  They 
are  such  rapturous  moments  with  me,  that 
often  I  know  not  whether  I  am  on  earth  or  in 
heaven.  Surely,  it  is  a  taste  of  heavenly  bliss! 
I  do  not  forget  my  dear  sister  and  friend  when 
I  thus  approach  the  gracious  throne.  0,  pray 
for  me!  Dear  Mrs.  Salmon,  yours  in  divine 
bonds,  H.  A.  Roe. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


199 


Letter  V. —  Written  at  a  time  when  she  was 
supposed  to  be  near  death ,  and  addressed  to  a 
lady  of  her  acquaintance. 

Macclesfield,  January  9, 1778. 

Farewell,  my  friend!  To  the  care  of  that 
God  of  truth  and  love,  who  hath  been  so  gra¬ 
cious  to  me,  I  commend  you.  May  you  prove 
all  the  riches  of  his  grace  in  life,  and  lay  down 
this  earthly  tabernacle  with  the  same  joy  and 
assurance  of  hope  as  I  now  do!  ‘‘I  have 
fought  the  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my 
course,  I  have  kept  the  faith;  and  henceforth 
there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  [a  never- 
fading  crown]  of  righteousness,  which  the 
Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  shall  give  me  at 
that  day.”  I  joyfully  declare,  it  is  by  grace 
alone  I  am  saved:  Jesus  is  all  in  all,  and  I  am 
nothing  without  him. 

I  believe  you  will  bear  with  a  friend  if  she 
leave  the  following  dying  cautions:  and  O, 
may  the  Spirit  of  holiness  write  them  on  your 
heart!  Deny  yourself  wholly,  take  up  your 
cross  daily,  and  follow  Christ  fully.  Watch, 
fast,  pray.  ,  Avoid  all  occasions  of  temptation 
resolutely;  but  if  at  any  time  you  are  overcome, 
delay  not  to  fall  at  the  feet  of  Christ  that  mo¬ 
ment  for  pardon  and  strength.  The  eyes  of 
earth  and  heaven  are  upon  you:  many  wait 
for  your  halting;  more,  I  trust,  wish  you  suc¬ 
cess  in  the  name  of  the  Lord:  I  am  sure  I  do, 
and  therefore  write  without  reserve.  Take 
care  of  your  own  understanding:  do  not  suffer 


200 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


yourself  to  think  of  it  but  with  deep  abase¬ 
ment  that  you  have  made  no  better  use  of  it. 
Do  not  adorn  your  body  now,  if  you  wish  to 
be  found  adorned  with  Christ  in  the  day  of, 
eternity.  I  sit  under  the  shadow  of  my  Be¬ 
loved.  While  I  write,  I  feel  him  sustaining 
my  soul.  0,  Jesus,  great  is  thy  goodness, 
great  is  thy  mercy!  I  feel  my  insufficiency  to 
speak  of  the  goodness  of  my  God:  it  is  more 
than  I  am  able  to  express:  I  enjoy  in  him  all 
I  want;  but  am  daily  more  sensible  how  little 
I  am.  O,  how  his  grace  is  magnified  in  a 
poor  worm!  You  also  have  tasted  of  his  love; 
may  you  follow  him  fully  and  steadfastly! 
While  you  do  this,  though  storms  should  arise, 
and  winds  blow,  they  will  only  settle  and  fix 
you  more  fully  on  the  Rock  which  can  not  be 
moved.  Believe  simply  and  constantly,  so 
shall  you  love  steadfastly  and  entirely:  then 
shall  the  Lord  guide  you  continually,  and  sat¬ 
isfy  your  soul  in  drought;  and  your  soul  shall 
be  as  a  watered  garden,  and  as  springs  of  wa¬ 
ter  that  fail  not. 

Farewell — I  was  going  to  say  forever;  but 
ah!  no.  I  shall  see  you  again:  may  it  be 
where  we  shall  rejoice  together  in  that  joy 
which  can  not  be  taken  away  from  us!  then 
shall  we  part  no  more,  but  live  forever  in  the 
presence  of  our  Jesus. 

“There,  only  there,  we  shall 
Fulfill  his  great  design, 

And  in  his  praise  with  all 
Our  elder  brethren  join 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


201 


In  hymns  and  songs  which  never  end, 

Our  heavenly,  everlasting  Friend!” 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  YI. — To  Mr.  Robert  Roe. 

Macclesfield,  February  12,  1778. 

Dear  Cousin, — Since  I  wrote  you  before,  I 
have  been,  to  appearance,  on  the  borders  of 
eternity.  My  body  was,  indeed,  brought  very 
low;  but  my  soul  was  full  of  heavenly  vigor, 
and  longing  for  immortality.  0,  what  heav¬ 
enly  transport  filled  my  ravished  breast,  when 
I  thought  I  had  done,  forever' done,  with  all 
below;  and,  as  I  then  thought,  in  a  few  days, 
or  weeks  at  most,  I  should  leave  my  cum¬ 
brous  clay,  to  bask  in  the  beams  of  uncreated 
beauty — should  stand  before  the  slaughtered 
Lamb,  and  see  the  wonders  reserved  for  me: 

“  Should  fall  at  his  feet, 

And  the  story  repeat, 

And  the  lover  of  sinners  adore.” 

When  I  should  be  lost  in  Father,  Son,  and 
Spirit — overwhelmed  and  implunged  in  the 
fathomless  abyss  to  all  eternity.  What  I  felt 
can  not  be  described;  it  was  a  real  taste  of 
joys  immortal;  it  was  a  drop  of  heaven  let 
down.  But,  benold!  I  am  yet  spared:  infinite 
Wisdom  protracts  my  stay  a  little  longer,  and 
I  bow  my  soul  in  resignation  at  his  feet.  I 
am  not  my  own,  but  his;  and  0,  may  my  lan¬ 
guage  ever  be,  “Not  as  1  will,  but  as  thou 


202  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

wilt!”  I  find  I  need  not  drop  the  body  to  en 
joy  the  presence  of  my  God:  he  dwells  in  my 
heart:  in  him  I  live;  he  surrounds,  supports, 
sustains  me:  wrapped  in  his  being,  I  resound 
his  praise!  0,  the  heart-felt  communion  my 
soul  enjoys  with  him — the  intimate  converse, 
the  sweet  fellowship!  My  spirit  is  filled  and 
yet  enlarged.  It  often  seems  as  if  mortality 
could  bear  no  more;  and  yet  my  desires  are 
insatiable.  I  long  to  plunge  deeper  into  God. 

I  rejoice  to  find,  by  your  last  letter,  that 
you  are  cleaving  to  your  Lord,  and  happy  in 
his  precious  love.  O,  that  every  day  and 
hour  you  breathe,  you  may  sink  deeper  into 
him!  All,  all  you  want  is  there.  Let  not 
your  trials  be  any  discouragement:  nay,  “  Re¬ 
joice  and  be  exceedingly  glad,  for  great  is 
your  reward  in  heaven.”  Remember  every 
cross  is  a  pledge  of  your  crown,  and  all  your 
sufferings  will  add  to  your  eternal  weight  of 
glory.  I  hope  you  are  all  in  earnest  for  the 
precious  pearl  of  perfect  love:  O,  look  up  to 
a  present  and  faithful  God!  Ask,  and  you 
shall  receive;  all  things  in  him  are  now  ready: 
be  not  faithless,  but  believing.  Hath  he  said, 
“I  will  circumcise  thy  heart,”  and  will  he  not 
do  it?  Sooner’ shall  heaven  and  earth  pass 
away  than  his  promise  fail,  if  you  only  embrace 
it  by  believing.  0,  claim  your  privilege — 
the  inheritance  of  the  land  of  promise,  the  rest 
of  holiness  purchased  for  you  by  blood!  Go 
up  and  possess  it — fear  not — come  now,  just 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


203 


as  you  are — empty,  to  be  filled — filthy,  to  be 
cleansed. 

“Sink  into  the  purple  flood, 

Rise  to  all  the  life  of  God.” 

Be  assured  I  ever  remember  you  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  and  remain  your  friend  and 
sister  in  Jesus,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  VII. — To  the  same. 

Macclesfield,  March  10,  1778. 

Dear  Cousin, — I  bless  God  that  you  learn 
wisdom  by  the  things  that  you  have  suffered; 
and  that  you  feel  temptations  from  Satan,  as 
well  as  outward  trials,  do  work  together  for 
your  good.  So  it  shall  ever  be  to  all  who  love 
God,  as  I  am  fully  persuaded  you  do. 

I  have  of  late1  been  exercised  with  various 
and  close  trials,  but  not  one  too  many;  for  all 
are  permitted  by  my  God!  He  is  my  portion, 
and  reigneth  in  my  heart  alone.  I  have  a 
happiness,  therefore,  independent  on  any  crea¬ 
ture,  or  any  thing  below  the  sun:  God.  is  all, 
and  he  is  mine! 

“All  my  treasure  is  above, 

All  my  riches  is  his  love.” 

O,  precious  portion,  invaluable  treasure! 

“Joys  that  never,  never  past, 

Through  eternity  shall  last.” 

I  think  believers  in  general  do  not  meditate 
enough  on  their  privileges,  and  the  great 


204  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

things  God  hath  done  for  them,  and  promised 
to  them;  from  what  they  are  redeemed,  and 
the  fullness  they  are  called  to  possess.  Let 
us  now  dwell  a  little  on  the  blessed  theme:  let 
us  look  to  the  rock  whence  we  were  hewn,  that 
we  may  rejoice  the  more  in  what  we  now  are. 
Were  we  not  once  going  on  in  the  way  to  eter¬ 
nal  ruin?  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  yea, 
slaves  to  Satan,  and  led  by  that  grand  adver¬ 
sary  withersoever  he  would;  yea,  sleeping  se¬ 
cure  on  the  very  verge  of  destruction?  0, 
my  friend,  if  God  had  then  cut  the  thread  of. 
life,  and  sent  us  to  reap  what  our  sins  de¬ 
served,  we  had  now  been  lifting  up  our  eyes 
in  torments!  But,  stupendous  love! 

“When  justice  bared  the  sword, 

To  cut  the  fig-tree  down, 

The  mercy  of  our  Lord 
Cried,  Let  it  still  alone.” 

Yes,  lie  spared  our  rebel  souls — he  shed  his 
blood  to  ransom  us  from  death;  and  mercy  to 
our  rescue  flew.  We  were  awakened  by  his 
Spirit  to  a  sense  of  our  danger;  and  no  sooner 
did  we  truly  seek,  but  he  was  found.  Yes, 
we  found  redemption  in  his  blood,  the  forgive¬ 
ness  of  our  sins;  and,  from  being  the  bond- 
si ayes  of  hell,  are  become  the  children  of 
God;  and  now  all  the  Father  hath  to  give  is 
ours — ours  by  covenant  through  Jesus.  He 
hath  the  Holy  Ghost  to  give  as  an  abiding,  in¬ 
dwelling  Comforter:  this  blessing,  then,  is  ours. 
All  the  promises  are  our  own:  “The^  are  all 
yea  and  amen  in  Christ  Jesus.”  Jesus  hath 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


205 


given  himself  to  ns,  and  the  Father  is  our 
God.  Was  it  not  the  word  of  our  redeeming 
Lord,  “1  and  my  Father  will  come  and  make 
our  abode  with  you.”  And  again,  “I  will 
send  you  another  Comforter,  even  the  Holy 
Ghost,  who  shall  abide  with  you  forever:  he 
dwelleth  with  you,  and  shall  be  in  you.” 
Here,  then,  are  promises  of  the  whole  divine 
Trinity  dwelling  in  our  hearts;  and  are  not 
these  promises  sealed  with  the  blood  of  the 
covenant?  But  will  God,  the  eternal  Trinity, 
dwell  in  an  impure  heart?  0  no!  but,  by 
entering,  he  will  cleanse  it.  Every  root  of 
bitterness,  every  remaining  sin,  and  all  the 
strong  armor  of  unbelief  will  flee,  before  him. 
Can  they  stand  his  presence?  No,  no;  God 
is  love,  and  where  he  dwelleth,  nothing  but 
pure  love  can  dwell. 

“Thy  presence,  Lord,  I  can  not  doubt, 

Extirpates  inbred  sin.” 

0,  glory  be  to  God!  what  a  precious  salva¬ 
tion  is  here!  And  this  is  the  privilege,  the 
happy  privilege  of  all  who  have  embraced  the 
Savior.  All  he  hath  promised,  all  he  hath  to 
give,  is  the  believer’s  portion.  Faith  believes 
the  record  true,  without  staggering  at  the 
promise.  The  promise,  my  dear  friend,  is  for 
you.  Receive  it,  then,  and  let  the  humble 
language  of  your  soul  be,  “Be  it  unto  me 
according  to  thy  word.  0,  rely  on  the  word 
of  a  God  that  can  not  lie,  and  receive  him  as 
your  sanctification,  and  as  your  indwelling, 
abiding  Comforter,  your  King  and  your  God. 


206 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


If  you  feel  the  flame  that  is  now  kindled  in 
my  breast,  you  will:  this  will  be  the  happy 
moment.  Speak,  thou  eternal  God,  and  let 
thy  servant  now  be  clean. 

I  had  been  led  unawares  thus  to  speak,  but 
I  believe  it  is  by  the  Spirit  of  God;  for  while 
I  write,  I  am  indeed  filled  with  divine  conso¬ 
lations.  My  soul  feels  all  I  have  spoken. 
Glory  be  to  God,  for  I  am  most  unworthy.  I 
have  much  greater  depths  of  humble  love  to 
prove,  and  my  soul  thirsts  after  them.  O, 
pray  for  me!  Praise,  for  me,  the  God  I  truly 
love,  and  believe  me  ever  your  affectionate 
sister  and  friend,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  YIII. — To  the  same. 

Macclesfield,  May  15,  1778. 

Dear  Cousin, — I  am  not  much  surprised 
that  you  are  assaulted  with  the  temptations 
you  mentioned  in  your  last;  and  though  I  feel 
for  you,  I  have  no  fears  on  your  account.  I 
know  the  Lord  will  make  your  darkness  light, 
your  crooked  paths  straight,  and  your  soul 
shall  see  the  salvation  of  God. 

It  is  no  marvel  that  the  enemy  of  souls 
employs  his  every  artifice  to  destroy  your 
peace.  And  will  he  not  the  rather  do  this 
just  at  a  critical  season,  when  your  outward 
trials  are  great?  He  sees  you  pursuing  the 
things,  and  espousing  the  glorious  cause  which 
shall  overturn  his  kingdom.  Marvel  not,  then, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


207 


at  his  rage  against  you.  It  proves  to  me  that 
you  will  be  an  instrument,  in  the  hands  of 
God,  of  much  good  to  precious  souls;  and 
that  this  dire  enemy  foresees  it  likely  to  he  so; 
and,  therefore,  would  retard,  though  he  can 
not  hinder  or  stop  your  progress.  You  say, 
you  “can  not  believe  till  these  doubts  are 
cleared  up.”  Here  is  another  device  of  Sa¬ 
tan.  Your  doubts  can  not  be  removed  till 
you  do  believe.  Faith  only  is  able  to  .quench 
all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  one.  Only 
believe,  and  you  shall  be  saved  from  all  your 
doubts;  meridian  evidence  shall  put  them  all 
to  flight.  Cast  your  soul,  your  fears,  your 
unbelief,  your  inbred  sin,  your  all,  at  the  feet 
of  Christ,  and  into  the  fountain  of  his  blood, 
the  depths  of  his  love.  Be  determined:  Lord, 
thou  shalt  be  my  teacher,  wisdom,  guide, 
counselor — my  atonement,  my  king,  my  por¬ 
tion — 

“Helpless  into  thy  hands  I  fall; 

Be  thou  my  God,  my  all  in  all.” 

Yes,  my  dear  friend,  leave  Christ  to  answer 
every  temptation  that  besets  you.  He  hath 
said,  “My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.”  This 
is  enough:  be  not  faithless,  but  believing. 

You  ask  if  I  am  not  in  a  delusion  respect¬ 
ing  my  experience  of  perfect  love?  Blessed 
be  God!  I  have  not  the  shadow  of  doubt. 
Even  Satan  himself  finds  these  suggestions 
vain,  and  has  left  them  off.  He  would  rather 
lead  me  to  doubt  or  care  for  to-morrow,  say¬ 
ing,  such  and  such  a  thing  is  at  hand,  and 


203 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


will  overcome  thee.  Thou  wilt  fall  in  some 
of  thy  trials;  or,  when  death  comes,  thou  wilt 
be  under  a  cloud.  But,  through  grace  divine, 
I  am  enabled  to  discern  whence  these  sugges¬ 
tions  come,  and  they  never  distress  me  for  a 
moment;  for,  by  constantly  looking  to  Jesus, 
I  receive  fresh  strength  in  every  time  of  need. 
I  know  I  am  now  right,  and  I  trust  him  for 
all  that  is  to  come;  and,  though  all  weakness, 
ignorance,  helplessness,  and  unworthiness,  yet 
I  have  the  testimony  of  my  own  conscience, 
and  the  witness  of  God’s  Spirit,  that  I  am 
wholly  and  unreservedly  his — his  in  body, 
spirit,  soul;  nor  does  any  thing  but  love  re¬ 
main  in  my  heart.  But  were  I  in  a  delusion — 
0,  happy  delusion! — it  brings  salvation!  it 
brings  heaven  below!  Nay,  with  what  I  this 
moment  feel,  I  could  be  happy  in  the  greatest 
of  outward  conflicts  and  distresses,  for  Christ 
is  in  my  heart.  I  dwell  in  God,  and  God  in 
me;  I  dwell  in  love,  and  love  dwelleth  in  me; 
God  is  love,  and  he  is  all  I  want.  And  is  it 
possible  we  should  be  ignorant  whether  we 
feel  tempers  contrary  to  love  or  no?  whether 
we  rejoice  always,  or  are  burdened  and  bowed 
down  with  sorrow?  whether  we  have  a  pray¬ 
ing,  or  a  dead,  lifeless  spirit?  whether  we  can 
praise  God,  and  be  resigned  in  all  trials,  or 
feel  murmurings,  fretfulness,  and  impatience 
under  them?  Is  it  not  easy  to  know  if  we  feel 
anger  at  provocations,  or  whether  we  feel  our 
tempers  mild,  gentle,  peaceable,  and  easy  to 
be  entreated,  or  feel  stubbornness,  self-will, 


MBS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


209 


and  pride?  Whether  we  have  slavish  fears, 
or  are  possessed  of  that  perfect  love  which 
casteth  out  all  fear  that  hath  torment? 

You  ask  how  I  obtained  this  great  salva¬ 
tion?  I  answer,  Just  as  I  obtained  the  par¬ 
don  of  my  sin — by  simple  faith.  No  sooner 
did  the  pride  and  remaining  unbelief  of  my 
heart  submit  to  be  taught,  and  to  receive  his 
precious,  full  salvation,  as  a  free  gift  of  his 
grace,  by  faith  alone,  without  any  fitness  or 
worthiness,  but  I  was  instantly  filled  with 
such  humbling  depths  of  love  to  God,  and 
union  with  him — with  such  discoveries  of  my 
own  nothingness — as  wh#lly  swallowed  up  my 
soul  in  gratitude  and  praise.  I  knew  the 
faithfulness  of  my  God,  and  ventured  on  the 
promise,  in  spite  of  reasoning  and  unbelief,  and 
all  the  lying  suggestions  of  the  enemy,  and 
believed  against  hope,  or  whatever  opposed; 
when  I  felt  my  soul  sinking  into  nothing,  and 
Jesus  became  my  all.  I  cried,  This  is  what  I 
wanted:  I  am  emptied  of  self,  and  filled  with 
God:  I  am  now  where  I  ought  to  be — a  worm 
at  Jesus’  feet,  saved  by  grace.  But  a  thou¬ 
sand  suggestions  were  soon  darted,  such  as, 
Thou  wilt  soon  lose  it:  thou  canst  not  stand; 
when  thou  art  tried  thou  wilt  fall.  I  said. 
Lord,  thou  alone  canst  be  my  keeper;  see  thou 
to  that.  I  have  given  myself  into  thy  hands, 
and  I  will  hang  upon  thee.  Thou  hast  prom¬ 
ised,  “My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.”  0,  the 
preciousness  of  these  words!  I  shall  praise 
God  in  eternity  that  they  are  written  in  his 
14  * 


210 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


book.  This,  and  such  other  promises,  have 
been  proof  for  me  against  every  opposition 
and  trial  I  have  met  with — which,  you  know, 
are  not  few;  and  by  thus  trusting  the  promise 
and  the  promiser,  I  have  conquered;  and, 
glory  be  to  God!  through  his  strength  I  shall 
still  prevail.  It  is  by  hanging  on  Jesus,  as  an 
infant  on  its  mother’s  breast,  I  retain  my 
peace,  and  love,  and  joy;  by  watching,  prayer, 
and  praise:  by  pressing  after  deeper  degrees 
of  humble  love,  communion  with  God,  and 
active  holiness.  Never  were  the  ways  of  God 
so  sweet  as  now  to  my  soul.  I  love  the  nar¬ 
rowest  path  his  Spirit  and  his  word  point  out, 
and  all  my  delight  is  to  do  and  suffer  his  will. 
0,  may  the  same  God  of  love  fully  reveal  his 
great  salvation  in  your  heart,  and  be  himself 
your  rich  portion  forever,  prays  your  affec¬ 
tionate  cousin  and  friend,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  IX. — To  Miss  Bourn,  of  Newcastle , 
Staffordshire . 

Macclesfield,  August  20,  1778.. 

My  Dear  Sister, — I  was  glad  to  receive 
yours  by  Mr.  Hall.  It  always  gives  me  pleas¬ 
ure  to  hear  from  you.  In  the  bonds  of  Divine 
love  my  soul  is  united  to  yours;  and,  from  the 
contents  of  your  letter,  as  well  as  the  power  I 
had  in  your  behalf  with  my  God,  I  am  as¬ 
sured  that  before  long  you  will  be  a  happy 
witness  that  Jesus  can,  and  will,  and  does 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  211 

destroy  the  last  remains  of  sin  in  his  chil¬ 
dren’s  hearts,  in  this  life;  yea,  in  every  such 
heart  as  does  truly  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness.  You  do  hunger  and  thirst. 
O,  that  you  could  look  to  Him,  this  moment, 
as  a  precious  Savior!  Is  he  not  so?  Do  you 
not  feel  his  loving  presence?  Are  you  not 
his?  the  purchase  of  his  blood?  the  new-made 
creature  of  his  love?  born  of  God/ and  be¬ 
come  his  child?  Is  not  Jesus  your  beloved 
and  your  friend?  'Can  he,  then,  deny  his  own 
Spirit’s  cry  in  your  heart,  and  that,  too,  when 
all  you  ask  is,  that  he  will  destroy  his  own 
enemies  in  your  soul,  and  enable  you  to  love 
him  with  all  your  heart?  But  as  to  that 
temptation,  “If  you  receive  it  now,  you  will 
soon  lose  it,”  is  he  now  able  and  willing,  and 
faithful  to  keep,  as  he  is  to  save?  Yes,  glory 
to  his  holy  name!  I  know  he  is.  He  is  the 
all-sufficient  God;  and,  saith  he,  “My  strength 
is  made  perfect  in  weakness.”  Trust  him, 
then,  poor,  weak,  and  helpless  soul.  “But  it 
is  not  long  enough  since  you  were  justified.” 
Does  God  tell  you  so?  Has  he  set  any  lim¬ 
ited  time?  None  that  I  know  of,  except  the 
present.  He  saith,  Now,  “to-day,  if  you  will 
hear  my  voice.”  And  again,  “Now  is  the 
day  of  salvation.”  And  again,  “Come,  for 
all  things  are  now  ready.”  He  has  command¬ 
ed,  “Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with 
all  thy  heart,  with  all  thy  mind,  with  all  thy 
soul,  and  with  all  thy  strength;”  and  he  hath 
promised,  “I  will  circumcise  thy  heart;”  that 


212 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


thou  mayest  do  it.  But  does  he  ever  say, 
“Suffer  so  much,  or  stay  so  long,  and  I  will 
do  it?”  Nay;  but  he  saith,  “If  any  man 
thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me  and  drink.  Ask, 
and  ye  shall  receive,  that  your  joy  may  be 
full.” 

My  dear  Miss  Bourn,  there  are  some  in  this 
town  who  have  not  been  justified  so  long  as 
you,  whb  have  received  and  do  profess  this 
blessing.  0,  then,  come  once  more,  even  as 
you  came  when  first  reconciled  to  God,  and 
cast  your  soul  simply  on  Jesus!  Would  he 
bleed  for  us  when  rebels,  and  will  he  refuse  to 
avenge  us  of  our  inbred  foe,  when  we  are  his 
beloved  children?  Surely,  no;  it  can  not  be. 
I  hope  soon  to  see  my  dear  friend,  and  that 
she  will  be  able  to  tell  me  she  has  obtained 
this  precious  salvation. 

Did  you  ever  read  Mr.  Wesley’s  sermon  on 
the  Scripture  way  of  salvation?  You  would 
do  well  to  consider  the  conclusion  of  it  atten¬ 
tively.  “Hereby,”  says  he,  “you  may  surely 
know  whether  you  are  seeking  to  be  sanctified 
by  faith,  or  by  works.  If  by  works,  you  want 
something  to  be  done  first,  before  you  are 
sanctified.  You  think,  I  must  first  be,  or  do 
thus  or  thus.  Then  you  are  seeking  it  by 
works  to  this  day.  On  the  other  hand,  if  you 
seek  it  by  faith,  you  may  expect  it  as  you  are ; 
and  if  as  you  are,  then  expect  it  now .  Do 
you  believe  we  are  sanctified  by  faith?  Be 
true,  then,  to  your  principle,  and  look  for  this 
blessing  just  as  you  are,  neither  better  nor 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


213 


worse;  as  a  poor  sinner,  that  has  nothing  to 
pay,  nothing  to  plead,  but  Christ  died.  And 
if  you  look  for  it  as  you  are,  expect  it  now. 
Stay  for  nothing.  Why  should  you?  Christ 
is  ready,  and  he  is  all  you  want.”  Let  your 
inmost  soul  cry  out, 

“Come  in,  come  in,  thou  heavenly  guest, 

Nor  ever  hence  remove; 

Settle  and  fix  my  wavering  soul, 

With  all  thy  weight  of  love.” 

Glory  be  to  God,  he  carries  on  a  glorious 
work  among  us  here.  Sinners  are  convinced; 
many  are  justified;  and  lately,  several  back¬ 
sliders  have  been  restored.  One  poor  soul, 
that  had  been  long  wandering  from  her  God, 
was  restored  last  night,  while  a  few  of  us 
were  at  prayer.  I  am,  my  dear  friend,  yours, 
in  Jesus,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  X. — To  the  same. 

Macclesfield,  November  15,  1778. 


My  Dear  Sister, — Your  letter  caused  great 
thanksgiving  to  God  on  your  account;  all 
glory  be  to  him  who  hath  increased  your 
desires  after  holiness!  Fear  not:  you  will 
|  surely  attain,  if  you  follow  on.  That  lovely 
Lamb  that  bled  on  Calvary  was  slain  “to 
redeem  us  from  all  iniquity.”  0,  look  to  him! 
behold  the  glory  of  God!  See  the  God  of 
angels!  0,  look  at  his  precious,  bleeding 
side — his  hands,  his  head,  his  feet!  Behold 


214  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

♦ 

him  gasping,  groaning,  dying,  that  you  might 
he  made  clean!  “Without  holiness  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord.”  But,  glory  to  his  name! 
whoever  steps  into  that  fountain,  which  is 
expressly  said  to  be  for  sin  and  for  unclean¬ 
ness,  shall  be  made  perfectly  whole.  0, 
let  your  faith  venture  in!  Wash,  and  be 
clean: 

“  Sink  into  the  purple  flood — 

Rise  to  all  the  life  of  God.” 

Open,  my  dear  sister,  open  your  willing, 
longing  heart,  and  the  King  of  glory  will  come 
in;  and  then,  be  assured,  “all  evil  before  his 
presence  shall  fly.”  Sin  can  not  remain 
where  Jesus  fully  dwells;  for  he  is  holiness, 
and  where  he  fills  the  soul,  he  leaves  no  room 
for  any  other  guest.  Whenever  you  can  say, 
Jesus,  thou  art  my  all,  and  I  love  my  God  the 
present  moment  with  all  my  loving  heart,  you 
that  moment  possess  the  blessing  of  sanctifi¬ 
cation,  and  never  need  to  lose  it  more.  It  is 
retained,  as  well  as  received,  by  simple  faith. 
We  can  have  no  stock  of  grace  on  hand, 
but  live  moment  by  moment,  hanging  and 
depending  on  the  adorable  Jesus.  In  him 
there  is  a  full  supply  of  all  we  want,  or  can 
want. 

This,  blessed  be  God!  I  prove,  and  that 
continually.  Every  hour,  every  moment, 
brings  me  fresh  delight  in  God.  He  is  an 
inexhaustible  fountain  of  love: 

“ Insatiate  to  this  spring  I  fly; 

I  drink,  and  yet  am  ever  dry.” 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


215 


I  can  not  express  the  sweet  union  I  feel 
with  my  God  at  this  moment. 

“My  Jesus  to  know,  and  feel  his  blood  flow, 

’Tis  life  everlasting — ’tis  heaven  below.” 

I  am  much  blessed,  when  I  remember  my 
dear  friend  at  the  throne  of  grace;  and  often 
do  I  beseech  my  blessed  Lord  to 

“  Fill  her  with  all  the  life  of  love. 

In  mystic  union  join 
Her  to  thyself,  and  let  her  prove 
The  fellowship  divine.” 

Jesus  is  unspeakably  precious  while  I  write. 
May  you  catch  the  flame  I  feel: 

“And  when  your  cup  with  love  runs  o’er, 

O,  may  sin  never  enter  more!” 

So  prays,  my  dear  sister,  yours,  in  divine 
bonds,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XI. — To  Miss  R.,  before  she  received 
sanctification. 

Macclesfield,  November  21,  1778. 

Last  Thursday  evening  I  was  pleasingly 
surprised  by  a  letter  from  my  dear  Miss  R., 
who,  I  sometimes  feared,  had  forgot  all  her 
purposes  and  promises,  and  also  all  the  bless¬ 
ings  she  so  often  received  when  we  met  in  our 
Lord’s  name.  I  was  glad  to  find  my  fears 
groundless,  but  much  more  pleased  and  thank¬ 
ful  was  I  to  find,  by  the  contents  of  your  last, 
that  your  precious  soul  was  still  laboring  up 
the  hill  of  holiness.  Go  on,  and  prosper. 
Many  are  the  trials  we  meet  with  in  the  way; 


216  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

yea,  our  Lord  hath  foretold  us,  that  in  the 
world  we  should  have  tribulation,  but  in  him 
peace. 

I  hope  you  enjoy  a  sense,  yea,  a  clear 
sense,  of  pardon  at  the  worst  of  times.  This 
is  your  privilege,  and  I  am  thankful  you  dis¬ 
cern  such  beauty  in  holiness.  0,  how  sweet 
are  those  words,  “Without  holiness  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord!”  You  have  cause  to 
praise  God  for  the  knowledge  he  has  given 
you  of  your  nature’s  depravity.  It  is  very 
good  and  profitable  to  know  our  sinful  tenden¬ 
cies.  0,  my  dear,  be  very  watchful  against 
the  little  things,  and  “keep  thy  heart  with 
all  diligence;  for  out  of  it  are  the  issues  of 
life.”  Let  God  have  your  first  thoughts;  let 
him  be  first  in  your  affections;  so  shall  your 
words  and  works  please  him;  for 

“What  are  all  our  works  to  him, 

Unless  they  spring  from  love.” 

Daily  entreat  him  to  take  away  all  opposi¬ 
tion  that  remains  in  your  will  to  his  providen¬ 
tial  order;  so  shall  you  find  rest  in  those  cir¬ 
cumstances,  which  otherwise  would  give  you 
much  uneasiness.  The  meditations  of  your 
heart  leading  to  him;  the  affections  of  your 
soul  cleaving  to  Jesus;  your  will  sinking  into 
his  will;  here  is  the  rest  of  the  saints!  while 
all  that  is  within  you  calls  jmur  Jesus  King. 
“Whatever  ye  ask  in  my  name,”  saith  our 
adorable  Redeemer,  “you  shall  receive.” 
Ask,  then,  my  dear  friend,  for  a  greater 
power  of  faith;  for,  as  you  believe,  so  will 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


217 


you  increase  in  every  grace  of  his  Spirit; 
and  your  soul  will  more  and  more  center  in 
God,  till  you  become  one  spirit  with  him, 
who  is  the  life  of  all  living;  yea,  the  very 
essence  of  heaven  itself! 

“To  his  meritorious  passion 
All  our  happiness  we  owe; 

Pardon,  uttermost  salvation, 

Heaven  above,  and  heaven  below: 

Grace  and  glory 
From  that  open  fountain  flow.” 

To  the  care  and  love  of  our  almighty  Jesus 
I  commend  you:  G  may  his  face  always  shine 
upon  you,  and  his  blessed,  loving  Spirit,  till 
your  soul!  Pray  much,  and  you  shall  attain 
all  the  salvation  you  desire.  I  am  yours  in 
bonds  of  divine  love,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XII. — To  a  preachdr  of  the  Gospel, 
in  answer  to  some  inquiries  relative  to  the 
state  of  her  soul. 

Macclesfield,  December  6,  1778. 

Dear  Sir, — To  tell  you  one  thousandth  part 
of  the  preciousness  of  Jesus,  is  a  task  impos¬ 
sible  to  men  or  angels.  To  my  soul,  he  is 
truly  the  altogether  lovely:  the  one  object  in 
which  all  my  desires,  expectations,  and  affec¬ 
tions  center — the  Alpha  and  the  Omega.  To 
him  my  more  than  all  I  owe,  being  snatched 
by  his  grace,  a  brand  from  everlasting  burn¬ 
ings!  My  surety  he  is;  my  life,  my  peace, 
my  treasure,  my  husband,  brother,  friend — 


218  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

my  wisdom,  my  righteousness,  my  sanctifica¬ 
tion;  my  all  in  all,  for  time  and  for  eternity. 
Him,  and  him  alone,  I  desire:  him,  and  him 
alone,  I  love. 

“I  have  no  sharer  of  my  heart, 

To  rob  my  Savior  of  a  part, 

And  desecrate  the  whole; 

His  loveliness  my  soul  has  prepossess’d, 

And  left  no  room  for  any  other  guest.” 

Yet,  0  how  is  my  heart  expanded  when  I 
see  I  have  yet  received  but,  as  it  were,  a  drop 
out  of  the  ocean!  but  a  glimpse  of  his  pre¬ 
cious  fullness;  and  an  eternity  of  growing  bliss 
lies  yet  before  me!  This  glorious  prospect 
truly  lays  me  where  I  would  forever  lie,  at 
his  dear  feet,  the  monument  of  his  mercy.  0 
that  I  could  praise  him  as  I  would!  but  lan¬ 
guage  fails,  and  I  long  for  that  day  when 
I  shall  praise  him  in  nobler  strains  above. 
Were  he  to  give  the  summons  now,  and  call 
me  from  earth  away,  0  how  gladly  could 
I  wing  my  flight  this  hour!  Loose  from 
creature  and  created  good,  I  only  wait  the 
joyful  word.  Come  up  higher!  Then  would 
I  exulting 

“Clap  the  glad  wing,  and  soar  away, 

And  mingle  with  the  blaze  of  day.” 

In  that  blessed  kingdom,  dear  sir,  I  hope  to 
meet  you,  though  perhaps  on  earth  we  may 
meet  no  more.  In  the  mean  time  may  you  be 
filled  with  all  the  fullness  of  Father,  Son,  and 
Spirit;  rejoicing  herein  with  increasing  joy, 
and  made  very  useful  in  your  Lord’s  vine- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


219 


yard.  So  prays  sincerely  your  real  well- 
wisher  for  Christ’s  sake.  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XIII. — To  Mr.  Robert  Roe. 

Chester,  December  19,  1778. 

Dear  Cousin, — I  am  glad  to  hear,  by  your 
sister,  that  you  are  restored  to  a  measure  of 
health;  and  that  the  Lord,  the  faithful  God,  is 
still  your  support:  may  he  be  so  to  the  end 
of  your  pilgrimage!  Lean  every  moment  on 
your  Beloved,  and  attend  continually  to  the 
lessons  of  his  love.  I  trust  you  have  learned 
many  sweet  and  important  truths  in  your  late 
affliction,  and  are  coming  out  of  it  as  gold 
purified  in  the  fire.  You  have  no  cause  to 
fear  even  legions  of  spiritual  enemies:  tempt 
they  may,  and  powerfully  assault,  but  can 
not  harm.  I  am  led  to  believe  all  the  de¬ 
pressions  of  mind  you  sometimes  feel  are  in 
a  great  measure  owing  to  two  things:  First, 
not  being  deeply  and  clearly  sensible  what  is 
temptation  and  what  is  sin;  and,  secondly, 
accounting  the  inseparable  infirmities  of  the 
corruptible  body  to  be  sin:  such  as,  errors  in 
judgment,  failures  of  memory,  bodily  weak¬ 
ness,  or  pain;  and  at  times,  through  various 
causes,  a  depression  of  animal  spirits.  This 
last  mistake  may  arise  from  another;  namely, 
looking  upon  elevating,  transporting  joy,  as 
inseparable  from  true  grace.  Now,  I  think 
you  must  allow,  that  as  free  agents  nothing 


220 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


but  what  our  will  chooses  in  opposition  to  the 
will  of  God,  or,  as  Mr.  Wesley  expresses  it, 
“  nothing  but  a  willful  transgression  of  a  known 
law  is  sin.”  Granting  this,  then,  and  though 
ten  thousand  sinful  objects,  or  desires,  in  all 
the  pleasing  forms  that  Satan  can  invent,  may 
be  darted  into  our  minds,  or  be  displayed  be¬ 
fore  the  eyes  of  our  imagination,  if  our  will 
and  affections  do  not  embrace  or  choose’  them, 
but  we  resist  and  hate  them;  in  this  case  we 
do  not  sin,  but  conquer. 

Second:  when  through  various  indisposi¬ 
tions  of  the  frail,  tottering  body,  we  feel  a 
very  small  degree  of  joy;  nay,  perhaps  only 
a  degree  of  hope  and  confidence,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  the  enemy  endeavoring  to  lay  the 
ax  of  his  temptations  at  the  root  of  this;- 
this,  I  say,  is  a  time  to  take  the  advice  of 
God  by  his  prophet,  “Who  is  among  you  that 
feareth  the  Lord,  that  obeyeth  the  voice  of 
his  servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness,  and 
hath  no  light?  Let  him  trust  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God.”  This  text 
proves  that  joy  is  not  inseparable  from  grace. 
It  is  not  according  to  our  joy — for  this  is  the 
fruit  or  effect  of  faith,  but  according  to  our 
faith  he  blesses  and  saves,  accepts  and  loves 
us.  Our  love  to  God,  his  cause,  his  people, 
his  precepts,  all  springing  from  the  root  of 
faith,  are  so  many  acts  of  the  soul,  which  our 
heavenly  Father  approves  and  accepts  through 
his  beloved  Son;  and  are  inseparable  evidences 
of  our  sonship.  But  joys,  comforts,  and  com- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


221 


munications  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  are  so  many 
free  gifts  bestowed  upon  us;  because  the  Lord 
delights  in  blessing,  comforting,  and  dwelling 
in  us;  and  are  so  many  pledges  of  his  un¬ 
merited  love. 

Now,  if  the  Lord  permit  bodily  affliction,  so 
that  we  can  not  receive  the  communications — 
I  mean,  can  not  receive  them  without  an  ex¬ 
traordinary  exertion  of  his  power  and  love, 
which,  indeed,  we  often  see  manifested  in  the 
dying  hours  of  those  who  love  God,  and  I 
myself  have  often  felt  in  sickness  and  close 
trials — ought  we  not,  in  such  cases,  to  cast 
ourselves  by  faith  on  him,  and  without  giving 
way  to  reasoning,  believe  he  will  make  every 
affliction  work  for  our  good?  Surely  we  ought 
to  trust  him  at  all  times — it  is  our  privilege. 
Do  not  mistake  me;  I  am  not  condemning  a 
religion  that  may  be  felt;  I  would  only  prove 
to  you  that  faith  is  the  root  of  joy,  and  not 
joy  the  root  of  faith;  and  that  you  ought  not 
to  cast  away  your  shield  of  faith,  because  you 
have  not,  for  the  present  moment,  much  joy. 
When  we  are  beset  with  various  trials,  various 
temptations,  and  various  suggestions;  such  as, 
Thou  wilt  surely  fall;  such  a  temptation  will 
prove  too  hard  for  thee,  etc.,  “My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee,”  saith  the  Lord;  he  who 
knows  all  your  trials.  Now,  when  by  faith 
we  embrace  and  rely  on  this  promise,  knowing 
he  who  is  faithful  will  perform  his  word,  we 
are  strengthened  by  a  sweet  peace-  and  well- 
grounded  confidence  and  hope,  that  shall  never 


222 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


make  us  ashamed.  And,  while  we  continue 
to  live  by  this  faith,  we  more  than  eonquer, 
whether  our  joy  be  little  or  great.  This  is 
our  shield,  and  God  is  pleased  by  affliction  to 
try  and  prove  this  faith,  that  it  may  be  more 
conspicuous  to  all.  Not  that  he  is  displeased 
with  us  for  any  thing,  but  whom  the  Lord 
loveth  he  chasteneth.  I  believe  this  is  often 
your  case;  and  he  calls  upon  you  by  his 
word,  “not  to  cast  away  your  confidence, 
which  hath  great  recompense  of  reward.  For 
yet  a  little  while,  and  he  that  shall  come  will 
come,  and  will  not  tarry.” 

With  respect  to  sanctification,  I  mean  the 
instantaneous  work,  you  have  the  word  of 
a  God — “I  will  sprinkle  clean  water  upon 
you,  and  ye  shall  be  clean;  from  all  your 
filthiness,  and  from  all  your  idols  will  I 
cleanse  you.”  Here  is  a  full,  free  promise. 
Do  you  seek  this  salvation  by  faith  or  by 
works?  If  by  faith,  then  you  have  no  need 
to  tarry  for  worthiness  or  fitness,  but  come 
now,  just  as  you  are.  You  must  embrace  the 
promise,  believe  it,  hang  upon  it,  rejoice  in 
it  as  your  own,  trusting  God  to  perform  it. 
Soon  as  you  cast  your  soul  upon  him  by 
faith,  he  will  seal  the  blessing  on  your  heart. 
May  he  reveal  these  things  to  you  by  his 
Spirit,  and  fill  you  with  all  his  fullness!  prays 
your  affectionate  friend  and  cousin, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


223 


Letter  XIY. — To  the  same. 

Nantwich,  April  20,  1779. 

Dear  Cousin, — You  are  quite  mistaken — 
you  do  not  try  my  patience  at  all;  but  you  are 
made  a  means  of  humbling  my  soul  before 
God,  when  you  think  me  capable  of  answer¬ 
ing  in  a  proper  manner  the  questions  you  ask; 
and  yet,  as  far  as  the  Lord  has  taught  me,  I 
am  willing  to  communicate.  I  believe  your 
eye  is  single;  you  are  a  child  of  God,  and  an 
heir  of  glory.  For  you  the  Father  gave  his 
only  Son;  Jesus  the  Savior  bled  for  you;  and 
the  blessed  Spirit  hath  applied  the  blood  of 
sprinkling  to  the  pardon  of  your  sins  and  the 
comfort  of  your  soul  in  all  your  various  trials. 
I  account  it  no  strange  thing  that  you  should 
be  assaulted  like  your  heavenly  Master;  yet 
surely  you  will  not  give  way  to  reasoning, 
because  Satan  accosts  you  as  he  did  the  in¬ 
carnate  God.  No;  rather  take  comfort,  for 
he  that  had  no  sin  was  tempted  in  this  very 
point,  like  as  you  are.  A  hypocrite  may  boast 
he  is  never  tempted;  has  no  doubts  or  fears; 
but  a  child  of  God — some  rare  cases  ex¬ 
cepted — is  seldom  long  together  unassaulted 
by  our  vigilant  adversary,  who  takes  every 
possible  method  and  opportunity  to  attack  our 
confidence  in  the  Lord,  and  to  work  upon  all 
that  remains  of  the  carnal  mind,  or  of  unbe¬ 
lief;  but  he  can  only  tempt;  he  can  not  force 
us  to  give  way  either  to  sin  or  unbelief. 
Neither  think  it  strange  that  you  are  not 


224 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


inwardly  as  holy  as  you  ought  to  be:  every 
child  of  God  feels  the  same,  till  fully  renewed 
in  love  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Till 
then  he  has  faith;  but  it  is  often  mixed  with 
unbelief:  he  has  love;  but  though  he  loves 
God  above  all  things,  yet  the  love  of  self  and 
of  creature  comforts  often  steal  in.  He  has  a 
blessed  measure  of  true  humility;  and  yet  he 
is  constrained  to  acknowledge  frequently  with 
tears,. 

“  Cursed  pride,  that  busy  sin, 

Spoils  all  that  I  perform.” 

His  patience  and  resignation  are  not  perfect; 
his  will  is  not  fully  subdued  to  God  at  all 
times,  nor  his  affections  and  desires  wholly 
spiritual.  The  Spirit  of  God  does  visit,  but 
does  not  dwell:  does,  at  times,  almost  fill  the 
soul  with  delight,  thereby  wooing  it  to  cast 
away  unbelief,  and  open  the  door  to  receive 
all  the  precious  mind  of  Jesus — all  the  stamp 
of  love  divine.  Now,  when  a  soul  is  obedient 
to  the  voice  of  God,  when  it  does  open  the 
door,  and  grasp  the  promises  of  holiness 
in  the  hand  of  faith,  he  will  come  into  that 
soul,  and  plant  his  own  nature  there.  Then, 
when  perfected  in  love,  faith  becomes  con¬ 
stant,  and  unmixed  with  unbelief.  Love  takes 
full  possession  of  the  soul,  and  humility,  un¬ 
mixed  with  pride,  lays  him  at  the  Savior’s 
feet.  His  constant  faith,  and  perfect  love, 
now  bring  forth  perfect  patience  and  resigna¬ 
tion.  His  deep-rooted  humility  having  laid 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  225 

all  self  at  tlie  Savior’s  feet,  his  will  is  now 
quite  subject,  and  all  his  language  is, 

“All ’s  alike  to  me,  so  I 
In  my  Lord  may  live  and  die.” 

But  even  this  state  is  consistent  with  much 
ignorance,  many  weaknesses  and  infirmities — 
with  many  temptations,  trials,  crosses,  and 
bodily  afflictions;  and,  on  account  of  these, 
our  joy  may  at  times  be  small;  yet  our  faith 
may  be  perfect,  and  our  peace  undisturbed. 
I  believe  our  faith  is  often  made  manifest  by 
following  God  blindfold — if  I  may  be  allowed 
the  expression:  I  mean,  when  our  ignorance 
and  blindness  can  not  account  for  his  provi¬ 
dential  dispensations;  when  we  are  beset  with 
trials,  and  see  no  way  to  escape.  In  this  case 
faith  says,  ‘‘It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what 
seemeth  him  good.”  Being  confident  of  this 
one  thing,  “What  I  know  not  now,  I  shall 
know  hereafter,”  I  will  trust  in  my  God,  and 
not  be  afraid,  for  he  is  my  all. 

I  have  not  time,  room,  or  expression,  to  tell 
a  thousandth  part  of  the  goodness  of  my  God 
to  my  soul.  He  is  ever  with  me,  and  assures 
my  heart,  “All  that  I  have  is  thine.”  All  my 
desires  are  satisfied  in  him:  I  live  in  him,  and 
walk  in  him,  and  he  is  my  God.  He  is  with 
me  in  sickness  and  in  health — at  home  and 
abroad — in  public  and  in  private.  In  reading 
or  writing  I  feel  his  presence:  and  0!  when  I 
am  bowed  before  his  throne,  he  lets  down  a 
heaven  of  bliss!  Language  fails  when  I  speak 
15 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


226 


of  his  love!  0  may  my  every  breath  speak 
his  praise!  I  remain  your  unworthy  friend, 
but  happy  sister,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XV. — To  Miss  Salmon. 

Malpas,  June  16,  1779. 

My  Dear  Friend, — How  shall  I  praise  my 
God  for  his  goodness — his  infinite,  his  stupen¬ 
dous  love!  0  how  he  heaps  his  benefits  upon 
me,  and  makes  every  other  blessing  sweet,  by 
the  gift  of  himself!  Would  any  thing  the 
world  calls  great  or  good  be  any  thing  to  me 
without  my  God!  Ah!  no,  no:  every  thing 
most  desirable  is  hateful  to  my  soul,  wherein 
I  can  not  taste,  or  feel,  or  see  something  of 
my  blessed  Lord:  but,  all  glory  be  to  him!  he 
is  my  all  in  all  things.  Help  me  to  love  this 
only  lovely,  dearest  object  of  my  wishes.  Let 
him,  my  dear  sister,  be  our  Lord  and  King 
forever.  Yes,  Lord,  take  our  hearts: 

“  Manage  the  wheels  by  thy  command, 

And  govern  every  spring.” 

How  sweet  is  the  yoke  of  Jesus!  0  how 
gentle,  how  tender,  how  compassionate  his 
care!  How  hath  he  borne  you  and  I,  as 
weak  and  helpless  lambs,  in  hi  s  arms,  carried 
us  in  his  bosom,  and  defended  us  from  the 
power  of  the  enemy!  Eternal  Lord  God,  thou 
indwelling  Trinity,  whom  truly  our  hearts  do 
love,  accept  the  gratitude  words  can  not  speak: 
in  silent  adoration  we  adore  thee,  overwhelmed 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


227 


at  thy  amazing  grace!  I  can  not  utter,  my 
dear  friend,  the  sweet  feelings  of  my  heart,  or 
tell  you  how  divine  a  union  my  spirit  feels  with 
yours.  0  may  you  now,  and  henceforth, 
prove  all  that  Jesus  can  bestow!  How  much 
is  that?  Words  can  not  tell  you;  but  yours  it 
is,  through  the  merits  of  his  blood! 

I  intended  to  begin  my  letter  with  thanks 
for  your  love  and  kindness  to  me  at  Chester; 
but  I  was  led  to  the  precious  fountain  of  all 
comfort,  and  when  I  had  once  begun  his  mer¬ 
cy’s  theme,  I  could  not  break  off!  I  bear, 
however,  a  grateful  sense  of  the  affectionate 
regard  you  manifested:  and  though  to  tell  you 
so  is  all  I  can  do,  my  Lord  will  surely  reward. 
My  love  to  dear  Miss  Bennett,  and  all  that 
family;  and  to  all  where  you  are.  I  bear  them 
all  on  my  heart  before  God.  I  love  them  all; 
and  if  they  knew  how  Jesus  loves  them  they 
would  not  keep  back  their  hearts  from  him. 
I  got  safe  to  this  place,  and  am  treated  very 
kindly  by  this  loving  family;  but  0  how  I  feel 
for  those  who  love  not  God!  My  dear  Miss 
B.  is  as  open  and  free  as  before.  My  soul 
cleaves  to  her,  and  I  have  great  hopes.  Pray 
for  her  and  for  your  ever  atfectionffte, 

II .  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XVI. — To  Miss  Loxdale. 

Nantwich,  June  30,  1779. 

Dear  Sister, — My  dear  friend’s  letter  was 
indeed  a  pleasure  and  a  blessing  to  me;  and 


228  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

my  Lord’s  great  goodness  to  you  is  a  fresh 
motive  to  love  and  praise  him.  But  fresh  mo¬ 
tives  of  this  kind  are  no  new  things  to  me;  I 
am  ever  discovering  instances  of  his  goodness 
that  fill  me  with  Avonder  and  astonishment, 
and  cause  me  to  exclaim,  with  holy  David, 
“Lord,  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of 
him?”  Great  things,  indeed,  my  dear  sister, 
hath  the  Lord  done  for  you,  and  for  your  un¬ 
worthy  friend:  and  yet,  0  stupendous  grace! 
we  have  only  received  a  drop  from  the  ocean 
of  his  love:  an  endless  prospect,  and  a  maze 
of  bliss,  lie  yet  before  us!  opening  beauties, 
and  such  lengths,  and  breadths,  and  depths, 
and  hio-hts,  as  thouo-lit  can  not  reach,  or  mind 
of  man  conceive!  It  is,  my  friend,  the  full¬ 
ness  of  the  triune  God,  in  which  we  may 
bathe,  and  plunge,  and  sink,  till  lost  and  swal¬ 
lowed  up  in  the  ever-increasing,  overflowing 
ocean  of  delights.  His  fullness;  0  what  is  it! 
shall  we  ever  fathom  it?  ever  know  a  ten  thou¬ 
sandth  part?  Ah  no!  a  ten  thousandth  part 
of  that  effulgence  we  could  not  bear  to  knoAv 
and  live!  Nay,  and  when  disembodied  through 
the  revolving  ages  of  eternity,  I  am  persuaded 
we  shall  oaly  seem  beginning  to  know  his  full¬ 
ness  of  love.  What  thoughts  are  these!  when 
I  enter  into  them,  as  into  a  labyrinth,  they 
almost  overcome  my  natural  powers.  0  how 
very  little  of  his  revealed  glory  can  this  earth¬ 
en  vessel  contain!  but  a  time  is  hastening  on — 
and  I  eagerly  wait  for  its  approach — when,  no 
longer  imprisoned  in  clay,  our  eyes  shall  be 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


229 


strengthened  to  see  him  as  he  is;  see  him  for 
ourselves,  and  bask  forever  in  his  smiles.  Yes, 
we  shall  be  with  Jesus  and  behold  his  glory. 
He  will  reveal  to  us,  also,  as  much  as  we  can 
bear,  of  the  fullness  of  the  Father’s  glory; 
and  we  shall  be  with  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit, 
filled  to  all  eternity!  But  I  have  been  led 
further  than  I  intended:  I  must  return. 

Permit  me  to  ask,  my  dear  friend,  what  are 
your  ideas,  what  is  your  opinion,  or  what  your 
experience  of  inward,  instantaneous  sanctifica¬ 
tion;  whereby  the  root,  the  in-being  of  sin  is 
destroyed?  T  do  not  mean  or  allude  to  a  state 
of  angelic  or  Adamic,  but  a  Christian  perfec¬ 
tion;  a  destruction  of  every  temper  contrary  to 
love;  a  state  consistent  with  many  temptations 
of  the  devil,  if  our  hearts  repel  those  tempta¬ 
tions,  and  our  will  do  not  embrace  or  yield  to 
them;  for  that  can  not  be  sin  in  which  our 
will  has  no  part.  Thus  it  was  with  Jesus: 
“In  him  was  no  sin,  yet  he  was  tempted  in  all 
points  as  we  are:”  before  his  pure  eyes  did 
that  enemy  display  all  the  kingdoms  of  the 
world,  and  the  glory  of  them:  to  his  spotless 
soul  he  suggested  disturbing  doubts,  and  pre¬ 
sumptuous  expectations;  but  in  the  Son  of  God 
they  found  no  place.  Again:  what  I  mean  is 
a  state  consistent  with  a  growth  in  grace;  for 
Jesus,  though  always  pure,  “increased  in  wis¬ 
dom  and  stature,  and  in  favor  with  God  and 
man.”  Is  not  such  a  state  expressed  and 
described  in  the  thirteenth  of  the  first  book  of 
Corinthians?  and  is  it  not  commanded  in  these 


230 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


gracious  words,  “Rejoice  evermore,  pray  with¬ 
out  ceasing,  and  in  ever}?-  thing  give  thanks?” 
Does  the  apostle  add,  “This  is  the  will  of  God 
concerning  you?”  And  after  praying,  “Now 
the  God  of  peace  sanctify  you  wholly,”  does 
he  not  pray  that  “your  whole  spirit,  soul,  and 
body  [after  they  are  so  sanctified]  may  be 
preserved  blameless  to  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ?”  Then  follows  the  glorious 
promise,  “Faithful  is  he  that  calleth  you,  who 
also  will  do  it.”  And  is  not  the  same  thing 
promised  in  the  sweet  passage  ypu  named:  “I 
will  sprinkle  clean  water  upon  you,  and  you 
shall  be  clean:  from  all  your  filthiness,  and 
from  all  your  idols  will  I  cleanse  you?”  etc. 
And  again,  did  he  not  “swear  to  our  father 
Abraham,  that  he  would  grant  unto  us,  that 
we,  being  delivered  out  of  the  hands  of  our 
enemies,  might  serve  him  without  fear,  in  holi¬ 
ness  and  righteousness  before  him  all  the  days 
of  our  life?”  By  the  state  I  weakly  attempt 
to  describe,  I  mean,  that  degree  of  humble 
love  which  excludes  every  temper  contrary 
thereto;  and  faith  that  excludes  the  remains 
of  unbelief,  and  every  tormenting  fear;  “for 
he  that  feareth  is  not  made  perfect  in  love.” 
It  is  “fellowship  with  the  Father,  and  with 
his  Son  Jesus  Christ,”  through  the  Spirit,  by 
whose  abiding  witness  we  can  say,  “Abba, 
Father — my  Lord  and  my  God,”  with  an  un¬ 
wavering  tongue. 

I  know  this  precious  Gospel  salvation  is  even 
derided  by  some,  and  exploded  by  many. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


231 


Perhaps  you  may  have  conversed  with  some 
of  these;  and  not  have  met  with  many  who 
have  dared  to  speak  for  God  in  this  respect. 
Some  of  my  expressions  may,  therefore,  ap¬ 
pear  odd  or  unusual;  but,  compare  them  with 
Scripture,  and  mention  with  freedom  any  of 
them  you  wish  me  to  explain.  As  I  know 
your  situation,  you  will  excuse  the  liberty  I 
take  in  advising’  you  not  to  meddle  with 
opinions:  this  wall  insensibly  eat  out  of  the 
soul  the  precious  life  of  God.  Dispute  not 
with  any;  or,  if  they  seek  doubtful  disputa¬ 
tions,  it  is  a  good  way  to  propose  prayer. 
But  it  may  be  well,  as  much  as  can  be,  to 
avoid  the  company  of  those  who  love  vain 
controversy.  Endeavor  to  possess  a  calm, 
recollected  spirit — a  heart-felt  union  with 
a  holy  God.  Sweet  truth — God  is  love,  and 
love  is  the  Christian’s  all.  Love  in  us  is  his 
nature  imparted:  it  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law, 
the  perfect  law  of  liberty.  Whosoever  “lov- 
eth  his  brother,”  hath  fulfilled  the  law  to  his 
neighbor:  and  he  who  “loveth  the  Lord  his 
God  with  all  his  heart,  and  soul,  and  mind, 
and  strength,”  hath  fulfilled  the  law  to  him 
also.  To  such  “his  commandments  are  not 
grievous;  not  a  task,  a  wearisome  burden,  but 
a  delight:  “They  are  ways  of  pleasantness — 
they  are  paths  of  peace.”  And  as  we  are 
under  a  law  of  love  to  God,  so  God,  our  God 
in  Christ,  is  under  a  covenant  of  love,  in  which 
is  made  over  to  us  all  he  is,  and  all  he  has  to 
give;  his  every  attribute;  his  wisdom  to  guide 


232 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


and  teach;  his  power  to  protect,  and  help,  and 
strengthen;  his  faithfulness,  his  truth,  his  mer¬ 
cy,  etc.,  all  sealed  over,  and  secured  by  cove¬ 
nant  promises  and  covenant  blood. 

0,  my  dear  sister,  what  a  blessed  portion  is 
ours!  Let  us  determine  to  prove  it  all.  We 
may,  I  trust  we  shall,  and  together  praise  in 
endless  day  the  great  Three  One.  I  am  ever 
yours  in  him,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XYII. — To  the  same. 

Macclesfield,  August  4,  1775. 

I  thank  you,  my  dear  sister,  for  your  last, 
and  would  have  written  sooner,  but  a  violent 
rheumatic  pain  in  my  head  prevented  me.  I 
clearly  see  in  your  experience  a  deepening  of 
the  work  of  God.  He  is  preparing  your  heart 
for  his  perfect  love:  he  is  emptying 'you  of 
self  that  you  may  be  swallowed  up  in  him:  he 
is  crucifying  you  to  the  world,  that  you  may 
live  to  him,  and  for  him  alone:  he  discovers 
to  you  the  beauties  of  holiness,  that  your 
soul  and  all  its  powers  may  be  captivated 
thereby,  and  enlarged  to  ask  and  receive  all 
his  goodness  waits  to  give.  It  is  no  marvel 
that  Satan  shoots  his  fiery  darts,  and  employs 
his  strongest  batteries  to  prevent  this  work  of 
grace:  he  ever  did,  and  he  ever  will.  This 
precious  salvation  entirely  overturns  his  king¬ 
dom  in  the  believer’s  heart;  he  hath  no  more 
place,  no  more  power:  he  finds  no  inward  evil 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


233 


now — in  those  thus  saved — to  close  "in  with 
his  temptations.  His  every  dart  is  now  re¬ 
pelled;  quick-sighted  love  discovers  all  his 
snares,  and,  armed  with  the  strength  of  Om¬ 
nipotence,  we  more  than  conquer! 

The  temptations  you  find  are  the  same  I 
was  followed  with,  when  the  fountains  of  the 
great  deep  of  inbred  corruption  were  dis¬ 
covered  to  my  view:  yes,  I  experienced  them 
all,  and  ten  times  more. 

Mr.  Fletcher’s  Polemical  Essay,  especially 
in  his  address  to  imperfect  believers,  seeking 
Christian  perfection,  was  made  a  great  bless¬ 
ing  to  me.  This,  with  Mr.  Wesley’s  Plain 
Account,  answered  every  objection,  *every 
doubt:  and  I  earnestly  recommend  them  to 
your  serious  perusal.  These  will  lead,you  to 
see  we  are  sanctified,  as  well  as  justified,  by 
faith  alone,  and  not  for  our  merits,  fitness,  or 
deservings;  but  faith  lays  hold  of  the  blood  of 
Christ,  as  the  procuring  cause  of  our  holiness, 
and  which  alone  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  This 
blood  is  all-sufficient:  as  prevailing  now  as  ever 
it  will  be.  What  then  does  the  believer — 
hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness,  or 

o  o  o  o  7 

inward  purity — wait  for?  The  promise  is, 
They  shall  be  filled.  Why  delay?  We  may 
come  just  as  we  are;  and  if  so,  we  may  come 
this  moment.  It  is  said,  Acts  xxvi,  18,  “We 
are  sanctified  by  faith  in  Jesus:”  and  the  work 
in  that  verse  is  plainly  distinguished  from  jus¬ 
tification,  or  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  both  be¬ 
ing  there  clearly  promised.  If  then  it  be  by 


234  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

faith  alone,  it  must  be  also  instantaneous,  in 
the  same  manner  as  our  pardon  was.  Did 
we  not  receive  the  one  in  a  moment,  by,  and 
in  the  act  of  believing?  And  why  should  we 
stumble  at  coming  the  same  way  for  the  other? 
“By  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith,”  in  all 
the  different  degrees  of  that  salvation  which 
we  can  receive  in  the  body.  If  by  grace,  then, 
it  is  no  more  of  works,  and  if  not  by  works, 
we  need  wait  for  none:  we  may  come  just  as 
we  are,  yea,  just  now. 

May  the  Lord,  while  you  read  these  lines, 
open  the  windows  of  heaven,  and  fill  your 
spirit  with  his  pure  love!  Do  you  thirst?  Be¬ 
hold  rivers  of  living  waters  gushing  out  of 
your  Redeemer’s  wounds — water  that  will 
wash  your  inbred  sin  away.  Is  not  the  Holy 
Ghost  waiting  to  apply  the  efficacious  blood, 
and  make  you  white  as  snow?  Hovers  he  not 
over  you?  knocks  he  not  even  now  at  the  door 
of  your  heart?  0,  let  your  inmost  spirit  cry, 

“Come  in,  come  in,  thou  heavenly  guest, 
No**ever  hence  remove; 

But  sup  with  me,  and  let  the  feast 
Be  everlasting  love.” 

Amen,  Lord  Jesus,  answer  the  prayer  of  thy 
child.  Be  it  to  her  as  her  soul  desire th;  fill 
her  heart,  and  fill  it  now.  I  feel  for  the  trials 
of  your  present  situation,  but  the  sweet  love 
of  Jesus  shall  bear  you  above  all.  Take  no 
thought  for  the  morrow,  but  momentarily  live 
to  God,  and  for  God,  and  nothing  will  be  able 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


235 


to  harm  you.  I  am,  my  dear  friend*  yours  in 
the  best  of  bonds,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XVIII. — To  Mr.  Robert  Roef  upon  the 
nature  of  faith ,  and  in  what  sense  it  is  the 
act  of  man . 

Macclesfield,  August  12,  1779. 

Dear  Cousin, — I  can  still  see  all  yorfr 
doubts  and  scruples  in  no  other  light  than  as 
temptations  and  suggestions  from  an  enemy, 
who  is,  and  ever  will  be,  watching  and  en¬ 
deavoring  to  break  your  peace.  And  though 
I  believe  you  will  be  brought  through  them 
all  to  the  haven  of  bliss,  yet  you  permit  him 
to  rob  you  of  much  comfort  which  you  might 
enjoy;  and  he  would  rather  employ  you  in  an¬ 
swering  his  lying  suggestions,  than  that  you 
should  be  momentarily  looking  up  to,  and  de¬ 
pending  on  Jesus  for  all  you  want.  For  my 
own  part,  if  it  were  not  to  answer  your  que¬ 
ries,  I  should  never  enter  into  the  nice  distinc¬ 
tions  you  do.  I  have  much  more  to  learn 
myself,  and  am  convinced  many  would  solve 
your  scruples  much  better  than  I  can.  In¬ 
deed,  to  speak  properly,  no  one  can  do  it:  it 
is  the  work  of  God.  Yet,  I  am  ready  to  im¬ 
part  what  himself  hath  freely  given.  But,  I 
beseech  you  to  read  my  letters  with  prayer, 
and  beg  of  God  that  he  will  attend;  every  ob¬ 
servation  with  the  light  and  blessing  of  his 
Spirit. 


236 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


You  say,  “The  work  of  justification  is 
greatly  obscured  by  many,  and  you  do  not 
exclude  me;  that  I  tell  you,  sometimes  it  is 
by  faith,  sometimes  by  works.”  So  do  St. 
Paul  and  St.  James;  yet  they  are  strictly  con¬ 
sistent  with  themselves  and  each  other.  But 
I  sometimes  think  you  understand  by  works  a 
meritorious  condition;  I  never  mean  any  such 
thing.  When  I  speak  of  the  works  God  re¬ 
quires  in  a  seeker  or  believer,  I  only  mean  a 
co-operation  with,  or  using  the  grace  given  to 
us.  I  believe  God  the  Father  loved  all  man¬ 
kind  in  their  sins,  freely  and  unconditionally, 
or  he  had  never  given  his  only-begotten  Son. 
And  it  was  an  unconditional  promise,  “The 
seed  of  the  woman  shall  bruise  the  serpent’s 
head.”  God  the  Son  also  loved  us  freely  and 
unconditionally,  when  he  left  his  Father’s 
glory,  and  became  man;  lived,  died,  and  rose 
again  for  us.  I  believe,  too,  God  the  Holy 
Ghost,  unconditionally — with  respect  to  any 
thing  we  can  do — “enlightens  every  man  that 
cometh  into  the  world.”  But  then,  these 
things  being  done  for  us,  by  and  through  the 
free  grace  of  the  eternal  Trinity,  we  are  re¬ 
quired  to  use  the  light  given. 

If  the  Spirit  of  God  cbnvinceth  of  sin, 
which  is  his  work,  we  are  required  to  forsake 
it;  and  there  is  always  power  to  do  it  commu¬ 
nicated.  This  forsaking  of  sin  is  an  act  of 
man,  and  a  condition;'  for,  “put  away  the  evil 
of  your  doings,”  saith  God,  “from  among 
you,  and  cease  to  do  evil:”  yet  this  is  not  a 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


237 


meritorious  work.  Again:  if  the  Spirit  point 
the  guilty,  heavy-laden  sinner  to  the  Lamb  of 
God,  show  the  alj-sufficiency  of  his  atonement, 
and  that  the  promises  are  made  to  such  lost 
sinners  as  he  is,  who  are  weary  of  the  burden 
of  sin,  that  he  has  a  right  to  come,  because 
all  are  invited;  and  that  “now  is  the  accepted 
time”  with  God,  “and  now  is  the  day  of  sal¬ 
vation;”  that  no  price,  no  worthiness  is  re¬ 
quired;  but  he  may  come  without  money,  and 
be  forgiven  freely — when  these  things  are  re¬ 
vealed  by  God,  which  is  his  work,  then  it  is 
that  Ve  are  commanded  to  act  faith.  We  are 
to  believe  the  record  true;  embrace  it,  rely 
upon  it,  and  venture  our  guilty  souls  on  the 
promises  made  through  a  bleeding  Savior.  It 
is  after  this  act  of  faith,  not  before  it,  God 
gives  the  witness  of  the  Spirit.  Do  you  un¬ 
derstand  me?  The  witness,  or  the  seal  of  the 
Spirit,  is  God’s  gift,  not  our  act;  given  to  all 
who  do  act  faith  on  Jesus,  and  the  promise 
made  through  him.  But  it  is  not  given  till 
faith  be  acted.  If  we,  as  penitents,  had  no 
power  thus  to  act  faith,  how  would  God  be 
just  in  declaring,  “He  that  believeth  not  shall 
be  damned?” 

With  respect  to  works  after  justification,  can 
any  one  retain  his  confidence  in  God  without 
them?  Has  he  any  foundation  in  the  Scrip¬ 
ture  to  do  so?  God  absolutely  requires  that 
we  should  do,  do,  do — as  you  say — and  be, 
be,  be:  not  in  a  meritorious  sense,  but  as  fruits 
of  the  law  of  love,  written  in  our  hearts, 


238 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


acceptable  and  well  pleasing  through  Jesus 
Christ,  and  with  every  injunction  he  gives 
power  to  perform  it.  The  power  given  is  of 
grace,  and  the  use  of  that  power  is  the  act  of 
man.  Again:  when  the  Lord,  by  his  Spirit, 
reveals  our  inbred  sin,  and  points  us  to  the 
all-cleansing  blood,  and  to  the  promises  to  cir¬ 
cumcise  our  heart,  etc.,  it  is  his  work  wrought 
in  us  freely.  But,  when  this  light  is  given, 
we  are  to  embrace  the  promises,  and  act  faith 
upon  them.  God  hath  said,  “I  will  do  it.” 
Let  me  ask,  Dou  you  believe  he  will  do  it  in 
you?  f  Hold  fast  that  faith,  then,  for  the  prom¬ 
ise  is  sure,  it  can  not  fail:  and  God’s  time  is 
now.  Only  believe.  God  at  this  moment  re¬ 
quires  an  act  of  faith  in  you.  He  holds  out 
the  promise,  and  bids  you  believe.  But  you 
will  say,  I  do  not  feel  the  blessing.  Poor 
Thomas!  Because  thou  hast  not  seen,  thou 
wilt  not  believe.  “Blessed  are  they  who  have 
not  seen,  and  yet  have  believed!”  But  you 
ask,  “What  must  I  believe?”  I  answer,  That 
God  is  faithful;  that  he  can  and  will,  in  a  mo¬ 
ment,  give  you  what  now  you  do  not  feel: 
nay,  you  will  not  feel  it  till  after  you  have  be¬ 
lieved.  If  I  had  given  you  an  apple,  it  would 
not  be  faith  to  believe  I  had  given  it:  but,  if 
I  had  promised  to  give  you  one,  and  to  give 
it  you  instantly  on  your  requesting  it,  if  you 
then  believed  my  promise,  and  took  pie  at  my 
word,  though  you  did  not  see  or  handle  the 
apple,  this  would  be  your  act  of  faith  in  me. 
But  how  much  more  immutable  the  promise 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  239 

of  a  God!  You  can  not  believe  him  in  vain. 
Even  suppose — which  is  seldom  the  case — you 
thus  act  faith  a  day  or  two,  or  longer,  before 
you  receive  the  witness,  shall  you  be  the  worse 
'for  it?  Nay,  but  far  better  for  having  be¬ 
lieved:  this  faith  will  bring  power  into  your 
soul,  and  you  will  sensibly  feel  what  you  never 
felt  before;,  and  soon  you  will  prove  the  Spirit’s 
inward  testimony,  that  it  is  done  unto  you  ac¬ 
cording  to  your  faith.  But  you  will  say, 
“How  is  the  work  instantaneous,  if  I  must 
wait  a  day  or  two?”  I  answer,  The  work  is 
done  the  moment  you  believe ;  though  the  wit¬ 
ness  of  the  Spirit — which  is  not  your  faith, 
but  the  gift  of  God — be  not  fully  given  till 
afterward.  ‘  ‘  He  that  believeth  ” — the  promise 
saith — “shall  be  saved” — from  guilt,  from 
inbred  sin,  and  into  glory. 

It  appears  to  me  you  labor  under  another 
mistake.  You  expect,  in  being  saved  from 
sin,  to  be  also  delivered  from  temptation, 
shortcomings,  weaknesses,  and  infirmities; 
but  these  are  inseparable  from  humanity.  We 
shall  never  have  a  perfect  body  till  the  resur¬ 
rection:  of  consequence  shall  be  liable  to  a 
thousand  infirmities.  We  shall  never  have 
perfect  knowledge  in  this  life;  and  shall,  there¬ 
fore,  ever  be  liable  to  errors  in  judgment,  etc. 
The  perfect  la^r  of  Adam  would  condemn  these 
things:  but  we  are  under  the  covenant  of 
grace;  or,  in  other  words,  under  the  law  of 
love  to  Christ;  whose  blood  every  moment 
pleads  for  these  things.  May  the  God  of 


2|0  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

peace  and  love  teach  and  guide  you  into  his 
perfect  will,  prays  your  affectionate  cousin, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XIX. — To  the  Rev.  J.  Wesley. 

Macclesfield,  October  15,  1779. 

Rev.  Sir, — Since  I  received  your  last,  I 
have  had  a  return  of  the  pain  in  my  side,  an 
oppression  of  my  lungs,  and  sometimes — which 
I  never  had  before — such  a  yellowness  of 
skin,  that  I  apprehended  my  disorder  would 
turn  to  the  jaundice.  After  eating  and  drink¬ 
ing,  I  was  thrown  into  violent  heats,  and- after¬ 
ward  into  cold,  fainting  sweats.  Then  I  was 
either  in  great  pain  at  my  stomach,  or  else  so 
sleepy,  that  I  could  not  keep  my  eyes  open 
for  a  considerable  time.  But,  blessed  be  God! 
I  found  it  a  sweet  affliction;  for  never  did  I 
find  Christ  so  precious;  my  evidence  so  clear; 
my  will  so  unreservedly  swallowed  up  in  his, 
nor  the  intercourse  so  truly  opened  between 
him  and  my  believing  soul.  Hence  I  loved, 
and  praised  him  for  every  pain;  and,  had  it 
been  his  adorable  will  to  have  called  me  hence, 
how  gladly  should  I  have  obeyed  the  joyful 
summons,  and  hastened  to  the  presence  of  my 
beloved,  my  friend,  my  all!  But  seeing  he 
still  spares  me  a  little  longer,  I  embrace  his 
will,  and  bless  the  merciful  hand  which  brought 
me  down,  and  hath  raised  me  up  again.  I 
see  an  open  field,  a  boundless  prospect  of  new 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS 


241 


delights  lies  open  before  me.  I  see  and  feel 
that  God  hath  engaged  all  his  attributes  in  my 
behalf;  and  in  his  strength  I  fear  no  cross,  no 
shame,  no  enemies;  for  my  Leader,  my  Cap¬ 
tain,  my  King,  is  the  Lord  of  hosts.  His  glory 
is  my  only  aim,  and  my  only  happiness.  0, 
precious  thought!  0  bliss,  not  imaginary,  but 
real;  not  fading,  but  everlasting;  not  decreas¬ 
ing,  but  ever  growing!  0,  vast  abyss  of  un¬ 
fathomable  love!  And  as  this  is  my  portion, 
so,  dear  sir,  it  is  yours  also.  We  experience 
it  now,  and  shall  forever  know  it.  On  these 
accounts,  how  easy  is  the  sight  oL faith!  how 
delightful  the  labors  of  love!  and  how  welcome 
the  cross  we  bear  for  Him,  who  is  our  life,  our 
strength,  and  our  salvation! 

Dear  Mr.  S.  is  still  unable  to'  go  into  his 
circuit,  and  4  fear  he  will  never  be  much  better. 
Cold  bathing  seems  to  do  him  most  good;  but 
he  is  very  ill,  especially  in  the  mornings!  His 
grief  at  not  being  able  to  travel  is,  I  believe, 
a  great  hinderance  to  his  recovery.  My  soul 
feels  great  nearness  to  him;  for  I  believe  he 
is,  in  a  peculiar  sense,  ^eloved  of  God,  and  a 
faithful  steward  of  his  grace. 

I  hope,  sir,  you  will  remember  him  at  the 
thron§  of  grace,  and  that  God  may  either 
restord*  him  to  his  former  usefulness,  or  else 
help  him  to  be  perfectly  resigned  to  his  adora¬ 
ble  will;  for  you  know,  dear  sir,  that  to  have 
a  soul  all  on  lire  for  doing  good,  kept  back  and 
hindered  by  sickness,  weakness,  or  other  bodily 
infirmity,  must  be  a  great  temptation  to  the 
16 


242 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


contrary.  But  as  there  are  none  so  weak  as 
myself,  and,  of  consequence,  who  stand  more 
in  need  of  Divine  assistance,  I  hope  you  will 
not  cease  to  mention  me  in  your  prayers.  In 
so  doing  you  will  greatly  oblige,  reverend  sir, 
your  very  unworthy,  but  most  affectionate 
friend  and  servant,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XX. — To  the  same. 

December  11, 1779. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — I  should  not  have 
been  silent  thus  long,  had  not  my  dearest  Lord 
seen  good  to  afflict  my  body.  I  am  just  re¬ 
covering  from  a  sore  throat.  It  was  not  ulcer¬ 
ated,  but  attended  with  a  fever.  Numbers  in 
this  town,  or  neighborhood,  have  been  ill,  and 
several  have  died,  four  in  one  family  within  a 
month.  I  applied  hartshorn  to  my  throat,  and 
found  benefit  from  it.  I  am  now,  I  bless  God, 
much  better.  I  have  reason  to  praise  him  for 
every  affliction;  for  all  he  permits  does  work 
together  for  my  good.  I  do  love  my  Lord 
with  all  my  heart. 

“  All  my  capacious  powers  can  wish, 

In  him  doth  richly  meet; 

Nor  to  my  eyes  is  light  so  dear, 

Or  friendship  half  so  sweet.” 

No,  no,  all  that  the  creation  can  boast  of  is 
poor  and  mean  compared  with  him  I  love.  In 
him  I  feel  a  constant  heaven,  and  my  soul 
truly  sits  loose  to  all  besides.  I  have  victory. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


243 


through  his  abrade,  over  all  things,  inward  and 
outward,  that  are  contrary  to  his  will.  I  have 
at  times  various  temptations;  but  they  find  no 
place  in  me,  nor  at  any  time  distress  or  bring 
me  into  bondage.  I  have — glory  be  to  God! — 
the  inward  testimony  of  his  Spirit,  that  I 
please  him,  and  that  he  dwelleth  in  me.  My 
body  and  soul  are  both  the  Lord’s;  and  I  earn¬ 
estly  desire  that  his  whole  will  may  be  done 
in  me  and  by  me.  I  am  a  sacrifice  offered  up 
through  Jesus,  my  adorable  High  Priest;  and 
am  determined,  through  grace  divine,  ever  to 
remain  so.  I  am  a  pilgrim  in  a  strange  coun¬ 
try,  and  all  my  treasure  is  above. 

I  am  traveling  as  fast  as  the  wings  of  time 
will  bear  me  forward  to  my  celestial  country, 
though  thorns,  and  snares,  and  gins,  some¬ 
times  beset  my  path;  yet  my  feet  are  shod, 
my  sandals  on,  and  I  trample  on  them. 
Though  the  arrows  of  the  archer  are  flying, 
I  have  a  shield  that  turns  aside  the  fiery 
darts.  I  have  &  shadow  from  the  heat,  and 
a  refuge  from  the  storm.  I  live  upon  the 
food  of  angels,  and  drink  largely  of  the  foun¬ 
tain  of  the  water  of  life.  His  ways  are  ways 
of  pleasantness,  and  all  his  paths  are  perfect 
peace.  How  great  is  the  love  wherewith  he 
hath  loved  me!  O  how  large  his  grace  to 
the  most  unworthy!  “Bless  the  Lord,  0  my 
soul,  and  all  that  is  within  me  bless  his  holy 
name!”  I  have  heard  from  cousin  J.  R.,  and 
his  soul  prospers;  blessed  be  God!  I  hope, 
dear  sir,  you  ever  do,  and  ever  will  remember, 


244  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

at  the  fhrone  of  grace,  your  most  unworthy, 
but  truly-affectionate  child  in  a  precious  Jesus, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XXI. — To  Mr.  Robert  Roe. 

Macclesfield,  January  14,  1780. 

My  Dear  Cousin, — I  am  willing  to  answer 
any  question,  or  write  in  any  manner  that 
will  give  your  soul  satisfaction;  break  any 
snare  of  the  enemy,  or,  in  any  way  whatso¬ 
ever,  glorify  God;  but  I  am  often  led  to  think 
you  do  not  want  information  in  your  judg¬ 
ment  respecting  these  things;  and,  therefore, 
that  your  aim  is  to  see  how  far  I  am,  or  am 
not,  consistent  with  myself  in  my  different 
letters.  Were  many  people  to  peruse  what  I 
write  to  you,  they  would  think  it  very  presum¬ 
ing  in  me  to  argue  points  of  doctrine  or  ex¬ 
perience  with  you,  who  are  intended  to  be  a 
teacher  in  Israel:  yet  you  «o  draw  me  in, 
that  I  dare  not  refuse.  I  rejoice  to  hear  that 
your  soul  is  more  happy  in  God  than  when 
you  wrote  before.  0  live  near  to  him,  and 
press  forward,  and  all  is  yours!  I  would 
again  repeat,  trample  upon  all  that  is  past, 
and  come  this  moment  to  Jesus  by  faith  alone, 
for  present,  instantaneous,  perfect  love. 

“Ready  are  you  to  receive; 

Readier  is  your  God  to  give.” 

But  I  must  hasten  to  consider  your  objec¬ 
tions.  You  ask,  if  I,  “previous  to  justiiica- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  245 

Gca,  forsake  all  sin,  and  have  power  to  keep 
myself  from  evil,  by  the  grace  I  receive  from 
the  convincing  Spirit  of  Goa — what  need  of 
his  free  justifying  or  sanctifying  grace?  On 
the  other  hand,  if  I  offend  [say  you]  in  one 
noint,  not  being  faithful  to  the  grace  of  con¬ 
viction,  am  I  never  afterward  to  be  accepted, 
even  by  the  Gospel  charter?  How  agrees  this 
[you  go  on  to  askj  with  trampling,  as  you 
often  bid.  me,  on  my  worthiness,  and  coming 
oy  faith  alone?”  I  would  here  put  a  few 
questions  to  you.,  and  I  beseech  you  answer 
them  to  the  Lord.  Can  your  forsaking  all  sin 
now — though  it  be  pleasing  to  God,  and  what 
he  requires  and.  commands — cancel  your  old 
tins,  or  obtain  forgiveness  for  what  i$.  past? 
Have  you  no  need,  then,  of  the  free  justifying 
grace  of  God,  to  be  received  by  faith  alone? 
On  the  other  hand,  if  you  resist  the  con¬ 
vincing  Spirit  of  God,  and  continue  in  sin, 
•contrary  to  his  strivings  and  drawings,  will 
he  continue  his  operations,  and,  in  spite  of 
vou,  work  that  faith  in  you  which  alone  jus¬ 
tifies  the  ungodly?  Yet  consistent  with  these 
things,  you  may,  through  the  power  of  tempt¬ 
ation,  and  your  evil,  unregenerate  nature,  have 
been  overcome  and  given  way,  not  being  faith- 
ful  to  the  grace  of  light  and  conviction:  and 
yet  you  may  still  come,  hating  the  sin  you 
have  committed,  and  burdened  with  your  past 
unfaithfulness,  trampling  on  your  present  wor¬ 
thiness  or  unworthiness,  come  just  as  you 
are — a  poor  prodigal,  a  condemned  malefac- 


246  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

tor,  to  Jesus,  and  receive  freely,  by  faith 
alone,  the  mercy  and  the  pardon  you  no  ways 
deserve. 

Again:  you  are  now  a  believer,  but  feel  the 
remains  of  a  carnal  nature.  It  is  your  happy 
privilege,  through  the  Spirit,  to  mortify  the 
deeds  of  the  body,  or  the  motions  of  the  body 
of  sin  that  still  works  in  your  members.  This 
is  pleasing  to  God,  and  what  he  requires,  as 
fruits  of  that  faith,  whereby  he  hath  promised 
you  shall  be  able  to  quench  every  fiery  dart 
of  the  devil.  But,  supposing  you  do  this 
without  once  being  unfaithful  to  the  grace  of 
justification — and,  alas!  very  few,  if  any,  can 
truly  plead  they  have  been  so — will  this 
cleans©  your  heart  from  the  root  of  inbred 
sin?  Ah,  no!  And  have  you  no  need  then 
of  the  free  sanctifying  grace  of  God,  to  be 
received  by  faith  alone?  If,  on  the  other 
hand,  you  are  willingly,  willfully,  or  habit¬ 
ually  unfaithful  to  grace  given,  are  led  cap¬ 
tive,  and  overcome  by  your  inbred  sin,  or 
outward  temptations:  if  you  resist  the  teach¬ 
ings  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  who  would  point 
you  to  the  all-cleansing  blood,  and  do  not 
earnestly  seek  to  go  on  to, perfection,  neither 
desire  holiness,  will  he  come  forcibly,  and 
take  possession  of  your  heart,  and  dwell  there, 
whether  yau  will  or  no?  Yet,  consistent  with 
what  I  have  urged,  though  you  may  be  deeply 
conscious  you  have  not  been  strictly  faithful 
to  justifying  grace;  nay,  through  surprise,  or 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


247 


temptation,  you  have  been  vanquished,  and 
foiled,  and  overcome  by  inward  corruption; 
yet,  coming  self-condemned  and  humbled  in 
the  dust  to  Jesus,  will  he  refuse  freely  to  for¬ 
give,  yea — and  if  you  earnestly  desire  it,  and 
come  by  faith  alone  to  receive  it — to  cleanse 
you  from  all  unrighteousness? 

You  ask,  How  am  I  to  learn  the  difference 
between  sin  and  temptation?  I  own  there  is 
some  difficulty  here;  I  mean,  in  discerning 
between  the  motions  of  inbred  sin,  while  it 
yet  remains,  and  the  temptations  of  Satan. 
Nothing  but  the  Spirit  of  God,  by  his  inward 
teaching,  can  make  it  clear  to  you.  But  this 
we  know,  whether  our  temptations  are  from 
our  evil  hearts  when  unrenewed,  or  from  the 
enemy.  If  our.  will  stand  firm  for  God,  and 
oppose  all  that  would  rise,  or  is  offered  con¬ 
trary  to  his  will,  he  is  so  far  from  accounting 
us  guilty  of  sin,  that  he  approves,  and  will 
reward  the  victory.  But  0!  rest  not  without 
inAvard  purity,  and  when  your  hearfis  cleansed 
from  all  sin,  you  will  see  more  fully  the  nature 
of  temptation. 

Pray  let  us  knoAv  if  you  are  likely  soon  to 
get  ordained;  and  if  you  are,  whether  you 
will  accept  the  curacy  now  offered  you.  I 
hope  you  had  a  profitable  time  with  Mr.  Wes¬ 
ley.  I  had  a  precious  season  when  he  was 
here;  and  I  think  I  never  saw  him  so  full  of 
the  Spirit  of  his  Master — so  full  of  God. 
May  the  Lord  fill  your  earthen  vessel  with 


248 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


all  his  fullness,  and  keep  you  till  redemption’s 
day,  prays  your  affectionate  cousin  and  friend, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XXII. — To  Miss  Loxdale. 

Macclesfield,  May  20,  1780. 

My  Yery  Dear  Friend, — How  agreeable 
was  the  reception  of  your  affectionate  letter! 
but  I  am  very  sorry  to  find  your  health  is  so 
indifferent.  My  dear  friend,  let  me  advise 
you  to  take  all  the  care  you  can  of  your 
body,  for  it  is  not  your  own ,  but  the  Lord’s. 
And  I  am  fully  convinced  we  have  no  right 
to  trifle  with  the  precious  talent  of  health, 
which  is  given  us  to  improve  to  the  glory  of 
our  God. 

I  every  day  experience  fresh  calls,  and  fresh 
motives  to  praise  and  love  our  adorable  Lord. 
Nor  is  my  grateful  heart  less  moved  at  the 
gracious  tenderness  of  his  dealings  with  my 
dear  sister.  0  my  love,  can  you  ever  now 
distrust  him  for  any  thing?-  Surely  such  love 
hath  destroyed  unbelief  forever — surely  you 
can  now  put  no  limits  to  his  power  and  faith¬ 
fulness;  his  grace — his  willingness  to  save. 
0  praise  him,  and  trust  him  forevet! 

“Look  for  his  perfect  love, 

Look  for  his  dear  people’s  rest; 

Hope  to  sit  down  with  him  above, 

And  share  the  marriage  feast.” 

Yes;  there  I  trust  we  shall  meet  and  rejoice 
together! — there  we  shall  sing,  without  weari- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


249 


ness  of  body  or  soul,  the  wonders  of  his  grace, 
and  tell  to  all  the  listening  heavenly  throng, 
how  rich,  redeeming  love,  hath  saved  and 
ransomed,  kept  and  preserved,  delivered  and 
strengthened,  and  at  last  brought  us  safe 
where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling — 
where  the  weary  are  at  rest. 

I  rejoice  that  you  are  still  pressing  on  to 
the  attainment  of  that  holiness  to  which  God 
calls  you.  Only  come  by  simple  faith,  and 
you  shall  soon  experience  that  sweet  rest, 

“From  self  and  sin  set  free.” 

I  look  upon  this  blessing  as  consisting,  not 
so  much  in  overwhelming  joy,  as  humbling 
love;  though  joy,  as  an  effect,  will  surely  fol¬ 
low.  With  me  it  was  thus:  I  sunk  into  my 
own  nothingness,  and  was  humbled  in  the 
dust.  Emptied  of  self,  and  self-dependence, 
I  submitted  to  be  saved  by  grace.  My  depth 
of  weakness  was  laid  open  to  my  view,  but  .1 
cast  myself  on  Jesus  as  my  strength:  emptied 
of  all,  I  plunged,  by  a  simple  act  of  faith, 
into  his  fullness  of  love,  and  found  him  all 
my  salvation,  and  all  my  desire.  When  Satan 
suggested,  Thou  wilt  soon  lose  what  thou 
hast  attained,  I  told  him,  Let  my  Lord  see 
to  that:  “He  that  keepeth  Israel  neither 
slumbereth  nor  sleepeth.”  Jesus  is  mine, 
with  all  his  strength  and  fullness;  and  his 
grace  is  sufficient.  I  think,  my  dear  friend, 
if  you  expect  thus  to  be  laid  at  the  Savior’s 
feet  in  humblest  love  and  self-abasement, 
temptation  that  the  blessing  is  something 


250 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


greater  than  you  will  be  able  to  bear,  will 
vanish;  or,  at  least,  lose  all  its  force:  and, 
being  thus  humbled,  thus  united  to  Jesus, 
hang  momentarily  depending  on  him,  and  fear 
not  but  he  will  be  your  keeper.  Faith  is  the 
bond  of  union,  and  in  your  union  with  him 
lies  all  your  strength.  He  will  water  you 
every  moment;  yea,  he  will  dwell  in  you  as 
a  well  of  water  springing  up  into  everlasting 
life.  He  is  himself  all  you  want;  he  is  holL 
ness;  he  is  heaven;  and  he  is  yours.  My  soul 
longs  for  you. 

“O  may  you  gain  perfection’s  hight, 

And  into  nothing  fall! 

Be  less  than  nothing  in  your  sight, 

And  Christ  be  all  in  all.” 

You  will,  you  surely  will!  Nay,  I  have  no 
doubt  but  you  will  soon  prove  this;  for  the 
Lord  enlarges  my  heart  in  your  behalf;  and  I 
trust  your  next  will  convey  the  happy  tidings. 

The  Lord  is  peculiarly  gracious  to  your  un¬ 
worthy  friend,  and  condescends  to  bless  my 
small  labors  for  him.  In -visiting  the  sick,  I 
find  a  great  increase  of  love  to  God,  and  the 
souls  for  whom  Jesus  died.  At  some  places, 
the  neighbors  coming  in,  the  power  of  the 
Lord  has  been  very  present;  and  some  of 
them,  who  before  were  asleep  in  sin,  are 
crying  out,  “What  must  we  do  to  be  saved?” 
and  so  many  fresh  ones  are  sending  to  me 
daily,  and  begging  I  will  call  upon  them, 
that  it  seems  as  if  my  employment  would 
soon  be  too  great  for  my  bodily  strength; 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


251 


but  if  he  calls  me  to  the  work,  he  will  give 
strength  for  it.  My  one  desire  is  to  spend 
and  be  spent  for  him.  Our  present  maid  has 
a  deep  concern  upon  her  mind,  and,  I  trust, 
will  not  rest  short  of  pardon.  She  who  has 
left  us  retains  her  peace,  and  walks  uprightly. 
I  can  not  tell  you  the  grateful  feelings  of  my 
heart  on  this  account.  I  thank  you  for  your 
kind  intention  in  the  affair  you  mention:  hope 
my  God  will  reward  every  token  of  your  un¬ 
deserved  love  to  your  very  unworthy,  but  sin¬ 
cere  friend  in  him  we  love,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XXIII. — To  the  same. 

Macclesfield,  November  2,  1780. 

My  Dear  Friend, — I  rejoice  to  find  by  the 
contents  of  your  last,  that  you  are  pressing  on 
to  the  attainment  of  that  fullness  which  God 
calls  you  to  enjoy:  and  I  trust  you  will  soon 
experience  that  blessed  rest — from  self  and 
sin  set  free.  The  suggestion,  that  this  bless¬ 
ing  will  be  more  than  you  can  bear,  is  appar¬ 
ently  from  an  enemy.  Ah  no!  but  it  will 
enable  you  to  bear  all  things.  If  you  expect 
to  be  overwhelmed  with  exceeding  great  joy 
when  you  receive  this,  I  think  you  are  not 
expecting  it  in  the  way  it  is  generally  given. 
I  look  upon  joy  as  an  effect,  or  a  fruit,  and 
not  the  blessing  itself.  With  me  it  was  thus: 
I  was  humbled  and  emptied  of  self,  and  Jesus 
became  my  all  in  all!  I  felt  myself  all  weak- 


252 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


ness — yea,  as  I  never  did  before — and  he  was 
all  my  strength;  I  all  ignorance,  he  my  wis¬ 
dom;  /  all  nothingness,  he  all  fullness;  I  all 
helplessness,  he  omnipotence.  I  flew  from 
myself,  and  escaped  to  Jesus:  he  received 
me  graciously,  freely,  without  money,  with¬ 
out  price,  without  worthiness,  or  faithfulness, 
and  became  all  my  salvation,  and  all  my  de¬ 
sire;  humbled  in  lowest  abasement  at  his 
boundless  condescension,  and  filled  with  love, 
I  felt  that  God  was  all  and  in  all  to  me. 

If  the  enemy  were  to  suggest,  Though  you 
were  to  feel  this,  you  could  not  retain  it,  re¬ 
member,  you  receive  the  blessing  that  it  may 
keep  you.  0  bring  your  polluted  heart,  then, 
just  as  it  is;  and  He  will  take  full  possession! 
0  come  by  simple  faith! 

“Faith,  mighty  faith,  the  promise  sees, 

And  looks  to  that  alone; 

Laughs  at  impossibilities, 

And'cries,  1  It  shall  be  done.’  ” 

My  state  of  health  is  better  than  it  has 
been  for  some  years;  but,  glory  be  to  God! 
not  half  so  well  as  my  better  part!  0  no! 
so  plentiful,  so  rich,  is  my  Redeemer’s  love, 
that  thought  can  not  fathom  it:  it  seems  but 
now  beginning  an  eternity  of  bliss!  0  how 
sweet  the  service  of  such  a  Master,  such  a 
God! — how  reasonable,  how  delightful  all  his 
paths! — what  solid,  present  peace! — what  ante- 
pasts  of  heavenly  joys,  when  we  walk  in  com¬ 
munion  with  him!  If  we  have  any  sorrow, 
any  abiding  doubts  or  fears,  surely  it  is  be- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


253 


cause  we  know  not,  as  fully  as  we  may  know, 
the  nature  of  a  God  of  love.  When  we  suffer 
him  to  reveal  to  us  what  he  is,  the  lovely  dis¬ 
covery  transforms  us  into  his  image,  and  dis¬ 
pels  every  thought  but  love.  Beholding  him, 
we  are  changed  into  the  same  image,  from 
glory  to  glory,  even  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 

My  thirsty  soul  earnestly  longs  to  know  him 
more;  but  his  love  is  unfathomable:  yet  every 
day  brings  me  fresh  discoveries;  and  I  bejieve 
what  we  are  capable  of  receiving,  he  will  re¬ 
veal  to  all  who  love  him.  Open,  then,  your 
heart;  permit  him,  and  he  will  give  you  such 
views  of  his  beauty,  as  you  never  had  before: 
such  views  as  will  dissolve  your  heart  in  hum¬ 
ble  love,  and  fill  your  eyes  with  joyful  tears. 
You  will  see  and  own, 

“  His  every  act  pure  blessing  is ; 

His  path  unsullied  light.” 

May  what  I  now  feel  be  communicated  to  your 
spirit,  and  God  be  your  eternal  portion,  prays 
your  affectionate  sister  and  friend, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XXIY. — To  Rev.  J.  Wesley. 

January  6,  1782. 

My  Very  Dear  and  Honored  Sir, — I  have 
still  good  news  to  tell  you.  Glory  be  to  God, 
he  is  working  graciously  among  us.  Cousih 
Robert  has  been  the  instrument  of  four  per¬ 
sons  believing,  and  receiving  sanctification 


254 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


since  I  wrote  last.  One  of  them  is  a  class- 
leader;  and  in  all  who  now  profess  this  salva¬ 
tion,  the  change  is  very  evident:  they  walk 
and  follow  after  God  as  dear  children,  who 
truly  love  him  with  all  their  hearts.  On  the 
watch-night,  a  young  woman  who  experienced 
this  salvation  some  years  ago,  but  had  lost 
it,  received  it  again,  as  Mr.  L.  was  saying, 
“  Come  by  faith  alone,  if  you  have  no  worthi¬ 
ness,  no  fitness!  believe  only,  and  love  shall 
make  all  things  new.  Delay  not  a  moment: 
come  now,  and  God  will  now  destroy  your 
inbred  sin,”  etc. 

Mr.  L.’s  word  is  made  a  blessing  to  very 
many.  Several  backsliders  are  restored;  many 
convinced  of  sin,  some  converted,  and  a  num¬ 
ber  longing  to  love  God  with  an  undivided 
heart.  0  liow  I  love  thus  to  see  the  pros¬ 
perity  of  Zion!  I  feel  indeed  a  sweet  as¬ 
surance,  through  grace,  that  if  all  around  me 
were  careless  and  lukewarm,  my  soul  would 
cleave  to  its  only  center,  with  all  its  powers 
and  affections;  but  how  much  more  does  it 
animate  and  enliven  my  spirit;  how  increase 
my  joy;  yea,  how  does  it  strengthen  my 
hands,  to  see  my  dear  brethren  rejoicing  and 
glorying  in  the  same  precious  salvation,  and 
living  as  it  becomes  the  redeemed  of  the 
Lord!  There  are  persons,  besides  those  I 
have  mentioned,  who  can  say,  they  feel  noth¬ 
ing  contrary  to  love,  and  are  kept  in  perfect 
peace;  but  dare  not  yet  profess  that  they  are 
cleansed  from  all  sin.  I  now  meet  two  bands, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


255 


and,  blessed  be  God!  we  do  not  meet  in  vain. 
My  soul  dwells  truly  in  a  present  heaven:  the 
eternal  Trinity  is  my  God  and  my  all.  Every 
power  and  faculty  is  swallowed  up  in  him. 

u  I  nothing  want  beneath,  above, 

Happy  in  his  perfect  love.” 

I  was  surprised  to  hear  that  you  had  been 
at  Chester  and  Wrexham:  but,  I  trust,  if  you 
did  not  come  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  for  a 
friend,  you  came  to  shake  Satan’s  kingdom. 

We  had  a  precious  love-feast.  Some  people 
tell  me  I  always  have  precious  times,  and 
therefore  judge  others  have  so  too;  but  I  be¬ 
lieve  most  that  were  present  are  agreed  in  this, 
that  we  have  had  no  love-feast  like  the  last  for 
many  years.  The  select  band  is  very  lively. 
I  have  just  been  there,  since  I  began  my  let¬ 
ter,  and  find  another  soul  has  received  the 
witness  of  sanctification  under  Mr.  L.  this 
morning.  I  know  you  will  join  me  to  praise 
a  God  of  love.  Glory  be  to  his  holy  name! 

“  Our  days  of  praise  shall  ne’er  be  past, 

While  life,  and  thought,  and  being  last, 

Or  immortality  endures.” 

In  a  day  or  two  after  I  wrote  to  you,  the 
pain  in  my  face  and  head  was  suddenly  re¬ 
moved  in  answer  to  prayer,  and  I  have  hardly 
felt  it  since.  Till  then  I  had  no  liberty  to  pray 
for  its  removal;  but,  hearing  that  my  bands 
never  met,  during  my  sickness,  and  that  sev¬ 
eral  neglected  to  meet  in  the  select  band, 
whom  I  persuaded  to  go  before,  I  said,  “Lord, 
if  thy  unworthiest  servant  can  be  a  blessing 


256 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


to  their  precious  souls,  remove  this  affliction/ 9 
it  is  enough;  “and  I  will  praise  thee/’  And 
the  prayer  was  heard.  In  ten  thousand  in¬ 
stances  I  thus  prove  him  a  God  that  heareth 
and  answereth  prayer.  I  am  filled  with  his 
goodness;  I  know  not  where  to  begin  that 
praise  that  never  shall  end.  I  remain,  dear 
and  ever  honored  sir,  your  unwortliiest  child 
in  bonds  of  divine  love,  H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XXV. — To  the  same. 

April  7,  1782. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — Glory  be  to  him,  to 
whom  all  glory  is  ever  due!  He  fills  my  happy 
soul  with  humble  joy  unknown.  I  dwell  in 
his  sacred  presence;  he  dwells  in  my  worth¬ 
less  heart*  and  all  wrapped  up  in  him  I  am. 

Your  last  sermon  on  the  Monday  morning 
was  made  a  peculiar  blgssing  to  very  many 
precious  souls,  who  say,  they  are  sure  God 
directed  you  to  speak  just  as  you  did.  Some 
others  indeed  say,  you  preached  a  new  doc¬ 
trine,  which  they  never  heard  before,  except 
from  cousin  Robert  Roe,  respecting  a  present 
salvation;  for  they  can  not  believe  that  per¬ 
sons  can  be  justified  or  sanctified,  unless  they 
have  undergone  a  long  preparation,  etc.  Nay, 
they  have  even  affirmed  that  he  or  myself 
desired  you  to  preach  that  sermon,  and  to 
mention  the  person  who  was  convicted,  justi¬ 
fied,  and  sanctified  in  twelve  hours. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


257 


Why  should  we  wonder  at  these  things? 
The  remains  of  the  carnal  mind  at  one  time  in 
myself  would  have  strongly  opposed  the  sim¬ 
plicity  of  faith.  But  0!  how  precious  do  I 
now  prove  the  experience  of  those  words,  “I 
am  crucified  with  Christ,  nevertheless  I  live; 
yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me;  and  the 
life  that  I  now  live  in  the  flesh,  I  live  by  faith 
in  the  Son  of  God,  who  hath  loved  me,  and 
given  himself  for  me.’'’  How  mistaken  are 
those  who  say,  to  speak  much  of  living  by 
faith,  or  of  coming  to  be  justified  or  sanctified 
by  faith  alone,  is  setting  aside  good  works? 
For,  can  there  be  a  &ospel  faith  which  does 
not  work  by  love?  And  does  not  love  work 
all  holy  obedience?  Excuse  me,  dear  sir,  I 
have  been  led  to  say  more  on  this  subject  than 
I  intended;  my  soul  being  peculiarly  blessed 
since  I  began  to  write.,  Indeed,  I  often  find 
it  so  when  I  write  to  you.  He  makes  you  in 
various  ways  an  instrument  of  much  good  to 
my  soul.  How  unworthy  am  I  of  his  innu¬ 
merable  mercies!  Praise  the  Lord,  0  my  soul, 
and  all  that  is  within  me  praise  his  holy  name. 

A  dear  young  woman,  who  received  sancti¬ 
fication  about  three  months  ago — who  has 
been  a  follower  of  God  for  six  years,  and  found 
his  pardoning  love  at  the  age  of  fourteen — is 
now,  to  all  appearance,  on  the  borders  of  eter¬ 
nity;  and  no  pen  can  describe  the  holy  triumph 
of  her  soul.  It  is  a  blessing  to  be’  near  her. 
On  Tuesday  last,  as  I  was  repeating  and  en¬ 
forcing  some  of  the  passages  in  your  last  ser- 
17 


258 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


mon,  and  a  few  parallel  promises,  another 
young  woman,  who  had  been  seeking  the 
blessing  two  years  by  works,  was  by  faith 
brought  into  full  liberty,  and  still  retains  the 
clear  witness  that  she  is  cleansed  from  all  sin. 
And  while  Mr.  S.  offered  a  present  salvation, 
a  young  woman  was  justified.  J.  S.  writes 
word  he  has  reason  to  praise  God  for  his  jour¬ 
ney  to  Macclesfield,  and  is  determined  to 
preach  an  instantaneous  present  salvation  from 
all  sin.  I  trust  your' going  to  Chester  will 
strengthen  his  hands.  I  can  not  tell  you  how 
much  I  am  filled  with  a  spirit  of  prayer  for 
you,  and  a  sweet  assurance  that  God  is  about 
to  use  you  as  a  more  peculiar  instrument  of 
good  than  he  has  ever  done.  I  look  for  an 
abundant  outpouring  of  the  Spirit.  Whenever 
I  hear  of  souls  being  blessed,  those  words  are 
applied,  “Ye  shall  see  greater  tilings  than 
these.”  May  the  fullness  of  the  Triune  God 
ever  fill  your  happy  soul!  and  may  you  still 
help  me  to  love  him  more,  prays  your  most 
unworthy,  but  ever  affectionate, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XXVI. — To  the  same. 

June  13,  1782. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — I  have  been  very  ill, 
and  my  body  brought  very  low  since  I  saw 
you;  but  those  sweet  words  continually  ap¬ 
plied,  caused  me  to  rejoice  with  joy  unspeak- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  259 

able  and  full  of  glory;  namely,  “According  to 
my  earnest  expectation,  and  my  hope,  that  in 
nothing  I  shall  be  ashamed,  but  with  all  bold¬ 
ness,  as  always,  so  now  also  Christ  shall  be 
magnified  in  my  body,  whether  it  be  by  life  or 
by  death;  for  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die 
is  gain.”  O  my  dear  sir,  I  never  dwelt  so 
much  in  God  as  I  have  of  late.  My  whole 
soul  has  been  swallowed  up  in  communion 
with  the  eternal  Trinity;  and  peculiarly  within 
this  last  fornight,  with  the  Holy  Spirit.  I 
have  been  led  to  pray  in  faith  for  a  universal 
and  pentecostal  outpouring  of  his  divine  full¬ 
ness;  and  it  surely  will  descend. 

Being  lately  on  a  visit  to  Nantwich,  the  dear 
people  there,  who  knew  me  formerly,  flocked 
around  me  with  eagerness,  and  I  held  a  prayer 
meeting  with  twelve  or  fourteen  of  them,  for 
which  I  believe  we  shall  praise  God  through 
eternity.  A  poor  backslider  was  restored,  and 
all  present  were  filled  with  humble  love  and 
joy.  I  left  five  or  six  earnestly  crying  for  a 
clean  heart,  and  determined  to  meet  among 
themselves,  for  all  the  classes  were  broken  up, 
or  torn  by  divisions.  When  I  came  to  Con- 
gleton,  on  my  return  home,  I  found  a  young 
man,  who  lately  withstood  cousin  Robert  Roe 
to  his  face,  respecting  sanctification  by  faith, 
now  rejoicing  in  it,  and  declaring  it  boldly  to 
all  around.  I  spoke  with  several  who  felt  the 
need  of  holiness,  and  two  of  them  are  able  to 
testify  “the  blood  of  Jesus  cleanseth  them 
from  sin.” 


260  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

In  this  place,  those  who  enjoy  Christian 
perfection  have  had  much  opposition  from 
some  of  their  brethren.  Four  or  five  met  con¬ 
stantly  together  to  revile  cousin  Robert  and  all 
who  profess  it.  But  one  of  them  now  has 
been  truly  humbled  before  God,  and  received 
it  himself  in  the  very  way  he  ;so  much  reviled, 
even  by  simple  faith.  And  another  of  them 
says  in  his  class,  and  publicly  to  all,  that,  if 
he  had  continued  to  revile  them,  he  believes 
he  should  have  been  damned  for  it;  but  he  is 
now  determined  never  to  rest  till  he  receives 
it  himself.  Since  you  were  with  us,  six  or 
seven  have  been  justified,  and  four  or  five 
sanctified.  Cousin  Robert  preached  at  Keeth- 
lesum,  about  eight  miles  off,  where  one  was 
justified,  and  another  sanctified.  At  Burslem 
he  found  many  thirsting  for  holiness,  some 
enjoying  it,  and  others  stirred  up  to  seek  it. 

The  children  who  professed  sanctification 
when  you  were  here,  stand  steadfast  and  unre- 
provable;  though  they  have  much  opposition 
from  those  who  do  not  believe  the  doctrine. 
Indeed  I  believe  it  is  a  means  of  good  to  them, 
constraining  them  to  walk  and  cleave  so  much 
the  nearer  to  God,  that  he  may  give  them  wis¬ 
dom  and  strength.  For  my  own  part,  I  find 
every  trial  or  affliction  has  this  blessed  ten¬ 
dency.  Still  pray  for  me,  dear  sir,  and  believe 
me  ever  your  affectionate  though  unworthy 
child,  H.  A.  Roe. 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


261 


Letter  XXVII. — To  the  same. 

July  7, 1782. 

My  Dear  and  Honored  Sir, — Since  my 
last  I  have  been  very  ill,  and  thought  I  was 
on  the  borders  of  my  heavenly  country.  0 
with  what  joy  did  I  feel  this  feeble  body  fail! 
How  did  my  soul  exult  in  the  glorious  prospect 
of  eternity!  My  every  faculty  expanded,  and 
all  my  large  desires  eagerly  gasped  for  immor¬ 
tality;  for  the  full  and  immediate  fruition  of 
my  God.  When  most  afflicted  with  pain  and 
violent  sickness,  those  words,  my  God ,  filled 
me  with  unutterable  delight.  0  for  a  thou¬ 
sand  tongues  to  praise  him!  0  for  a  thousand 
lives  to  spend  wholly  for  him!  Yes,  ardently 
as  I  long  to  see  him  as  he  is,  I  could  be  will¬ 
ing,  if  so  poor  a  worm  could  bring  glory  to 
his  blessed  name,  to  live  a  thousand  years. 
Indeed,  my  dear  sir,  I  love  him  with  a  love 
that  can  not  be  expressed,  and  yet  I  long  to 
love  him  more. 

“  Plunged  in  the  Godhead’s  deepest  sea, 

And  lost  in  his  immensity.” 

I  see  more  and  more  lately  into  the  extent 
of  that  promise,  “What  things  soever  ye  de¬ 
sire  when  ye  pray,  believe  that  ye  receive 
them,  and  ye  shall  have  them.”  I  have 
proved  it  in  a  thousand  instances,  and  never 
knew  it  to  fail  in  one.  “If  ye  ask  any  thing  in 
my  name,”  says  Jesus,  “I  will  do  it.”  What 
an  open  field  then  lies  before  us!  Blessed 
be  God,  the  work  still  goes  forward;  though 


262 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


all  who  profess  holiness  are  strongly  opposed, 
and  their  names  cast  out  as  evil.  But  we  are 
enabled  by  grace  to  bear  all  things,  and  endure 
all  things  in  a  spirit  of  love.  Cousin  Robert, 
on  entering  his  new  house,  had  a  meeting 
there,  and  it  was  a  time  much  to  be  remem¬ 
bered.  One  received  sanctification,  and  many 
were  greatly  established. 

I  have  thoughts,  if  the  Lord  open  a  way, 
of  going  into  Yorkshire.  I  leave  myself  in 
the  Lord’s  hands,  as  I  desire  to  spend  and  be 
spent  for  him  alone.  May  he  fill  you  with  all 
his  fullness;  and  in  a  particular  manner,  when 
you  meet  in  conference,  may  the  unction  from 
above  fill  your  heart  and  the  heart  of  every 
one!  May  all  go  forth  with  strength  renewed; 
and  a  plenitude  of  the  Spirit  be  poured  out  on 
all  flesh!  I  am  now  and  ever,  dear  sir,  your 
unworthy,  but  affectionate  child, 

H.  A.  Roe. 


Letter  XXYIII. — To  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher. 

Dublin,  December  14,  1784. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — I  believe  it  wall  not 
be  unacceptable  to  you  to  be  informed  how  a 
God  of  love  is  blessing  his  dear  people  in  this 
city.  You  have  a  peculiar  right  to  expect 
this,  because  you  were  made,  through  mercy, 
the  instrument  of  kindling  a  gracious  flame  in 
many  hearts;  and  of  preparing  others  to  re¬ 
ceive  the  message  of  salvation;  a  present  sal- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


263 


vation;  even  from  all  sin.  Had  not  you  and 
your  dear  partner  been  here  before  us,  it  is 
probable  we  should  not  have  been  received  as 
we  now'  are.  But  the  sound  of  your  Master’s 
feet  was  behind  you,  and  a  gracious  savor  was 
left  upon  the  minds  of  the  people  in  general; 
so  that  when  we  came,  we  found  them  eager 
to  embrace  the  whole  Gospel.  I  had  the 
clearest  assurance,  before  we  left  England, 
that  our  appointment  for  Dublin  was  of  the 
Lord,  and  every  day  brings  me  fresh  proofs 
of  it.  It  was  also  a  kind  Providence  which 
brought  us  here  on  the  very  day  that  precious 
woman,  Mrs.  King — now  Mrs.  Johnson — was 
married;  and  in  consequence  of  which,  went 
to  reside  at  Lisburn.  Had  we  arrived  before 
the  society  suffered  so  great  a  loss,  my  poor 
services  might  not  have  been  so  acceptable; 
and  had  it  been  later,  the  minds  of  the  people 
might  have  been  grieved  to  excess.  But  the 
novelty  of  strangers  first  engaged  their  atten¬ 
tion,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  then  soon 
became  a  sin-killing  and  soul-saving  word:  so 
that  now  every  one’s  cares  and  fears  terminate 
in  a  determination  to  secure  his  own  salvation. 

Another  great  blessing  is,  Mr.  Rogers  and 
Mr.  Blair — his  fellow-laborer — are  united  as 
the  heart  of  one  man:  Mrs.  Blair,  also,  is  a 
sister  indeed  to  me  in  spirit  and  real  affection; 
so  that  we  are  a  family  of  love;  and  one  small 
house  serves  us  all.  And  not  the  preachers 
only,  but  the  stewards,  leaders,  and  people,  all 
unite,  and  have  only  one  strife — how  they  may 


264 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


best  promote  each  other’s  happiness,,  and  the 
cause  of  God.  And  glory,  glory,  glory,  be 
ever  ascribed  to  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
it  is  promoted!  Sinners  are  snatched  by  grace 
as  brands  from  the  burning,  and  the  kingdom 
of  God  and  his  Christ  is  set  up  in  many  be¬ 
lieving  hearts: 

uLo,  the  promise  of  a  shower 
Drops  already  from  above; 

But  the  Lord  shall  shortly  pour 
All  the  Spirit  of  his  love.” 

In  six  weeks  from  the  time  of  our  first  arri¬ 
val,  many  were  awakened,  and  nine  received 
a  clear  sense  of  pardon:  these  returned  public 
thanks,  which  greatly  encouraged  the  seekers, 
and  raised  the  expectation  of  all.  As  it  was 
manifestly  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  pres¬ 
ence  of  the  Lord,  it  was  thought  expedient  at 
our  love-feast,  October  10th,  to  give  notes  of 
admission,  on  that  occasion,  to  many  who  were 
not  as  yet  members  of  society,  but  appeared 
desirous  of  salvation;  so  that  near  seven  hun¬ 
dred:  souls  were  present:  and  a  feast  of  love  it 
was,  such  as  I  believe  many  will  praise  God 
for  to  all  eternity!  After  several,  who  spoke 
with  great  freedom  and  simplicity,  a  poor  peni¬ 
tent  besought  us  with  tears  to  pray  for  her. 
The  kindlings  of  love  which  had  been  felt  be¬ 
fore,  now  became  a  flame  in  every  believing 
soul;  and  when  fallen  on  our  knees,  the  power 
of  God  descended  of  a  truth:  every  corner  of 
the  house  was  filled  with  cries  of  “God  be 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner,”  or  “Praise  the  Lord, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


265 


0  my  soul,  who  hath  forgiven  all  mine  iniqui¬ 
ties?”  Not  one  remained  unaffected;  and  we 
have  since  found  that  seven  were  justified  at 
that  time;  among  whom  was  one  that  received 
a  note  of  admittance  in  the  morning;  and 
several  who  came  only  with  a  faint  desire, 
were  deeply  convinced  of„sin.  The  next  night 
another  xyas  justified  under  the  word,  and 
a  second  under  the  prayer,  and  a  backslider 
healed;  and  soon  after,  while  Mr.  R.  explained 
and  enforced,  “Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit, 
for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaVen,”  dear 
sister  R.,  whom  I  am  persuaded  you  well 
remember — for  you  took  great  pains  to  encour¬ 
age  and  help  her  forward — even  this  poor, 
nervous,  afflicted  woman,  who  has  been  a 
seeker  twenty-one  years,  laid  hold  of  the 
promise  by  faith,  and  received  the  “knowl¬ 
edge  of  salvation  by  the  remission  of  sins;” 
and,  notwithstanding  she  is  often  greatly  op¬ 
pressed  by  her  bodily  disorder,  she  is  still 
enabled  to  claim  her  interest  in  redeeming 
blood.  A  poor  vile  young  man,  who  had  in¬ 
dulged  himself  in  all  kinds  of  sin  with  greedi¬ 
ness,  and,  according  to  his  own  expression, 
“believed  no  God  more  supreme  than  him¬ 
self,”  strayed  into  the  chapel  just  as  Mr. 
Rogers  gave  out  the  text,  “Believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved*” 
he  was  that  hour  cut  to  the  heart,  and  is  now 
earnestly  seeking  salvation,  and  has  received 
much  comfort.  Under  the  same  sermon  one 
was  justified,  and  another  backslider  healed. 


266 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Since  this,  a  man  and  his  wife  came  to 
preaching  together,  who  had  been  seekers 
seven  years,  and  their  states  nearly  alike:  they 
did  not  sit  near  each  other;  bnt  were  both  set 
at  liberty  under  the  same  sentence,  and  in  the 
same  instant.  They  both  ran  to  catch  hold 
of  Mr.  R.  as  he  came  from  the  pulpit,  and. 
there  met  each  other,  and  rejoiced  ..together 
with  exceeding  great  joy.  The  man  said,  he 
knew  his  wife  was  blessed  before  they  thus 
met,  as  well  as  he  knew  that  himself  was. 
Another  person,  who  had  been  a  backslider 
ten  years,  first  into  Antinomian  principles,  and 
then  into  gross  open  sin,  fell  lately  into  deep 
despair,  and  many  times  attempted  to  put  an 
end  to  his  life,  but  was  often  prevented  by  an 
almost  miraculous  providence.  Friday,  No¬ 
vember  12th,  was  the  last  time,  when  he  had 
placed  a  loaded  pistol  to  his  breast,  and  in¬ 
tended  to  discharge  it  the  next  moment:  but 
these  words  came  with  power,  “Why  will  ye 
die?”  He  instantly  fell  on  his  knees,  and 
dropped  the  pistol.  He  came  afterward  to  the 
preachers,  who  endeavored  to  encourage  him: 
and  on  the  Tuesday  following  he  was  at  our 
prayer  meeting,  where  an  agonizing  spirit  of 
prayer  was  given:  he  obtained  then  a  comfort¬ 
able  hope  of  mercy,  and  at  night,  under  Mr. 
Blair’s  preaching,  was  set  at  liberty.  This  he 
told  me  the  next  morning,  with  streaming 
eyes,  and  gratitude  unspeakable. 

November  18. — We  had  another  love-feast 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


267 


at  Gravelwalk:  it  was  a  more  wonderful  sea¬ 
son  than  even  the  former.  We  know  of  nine 
that  we  have  reason  to  believe  were  justi¬ 
fied;  and  many  lukewarm  professors  were 
greatly  stirred  up.  Two  of  these  found  peace 
in  the  blood  of  Jesus  the  week  after;  another 
on  Sunday  night  last,  who  was  a  Papist;  and 
another  last  night.  A  Jew  is  also  convinced 
and  converted;  and  from  being,  according  to 
his  sect,  a  Pharisee,  is  now  zealous  in  his 
love  to  Jesus,  though  at  the  hazard  of  his 
life,  for  his  own  mother  and  other  relations 
have  attempted  to  murder  him  at  different 
times. 

One  of  sister  Johnson’s  classes,  and  another, 
since  formed,  are  committed  to  my  care.  In 
the  first  of  these  are  now  thirty-eight  mem¬ 
bers,  in  the  latter  thirty-six;  and  within  the  last 
quarter,  ten  of  these  have  received  a  sense  of 
pardon,  and  four  others  are  enabled  to  love 
God  with  all  their  hearts.  I  have  likewise 
undertook  a  class  of  young  girls,  from  about 
nine  to  fourteen  years  of  age.  In  a  few  weeks 
many  of  them  began  to  feel  awakenings,  and 
a  few  were  deeply  convinced  of  sin.  A  month 
ago,  one  of  these,  ten  years  of  age,  received  a 
clear  sense  of  pardon:  she  told  her  companion 
of  the  same  age,  who  prayed  and  wept,  and 
would  not  be  comforted,  till  she  obtained  the 
same  blessing,  which  was  in  a  few  days. 
When  the  rest  heard  this,  they  were  greatly 
stirred  up,  and  the  following  Sabbath  two  more 


268 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


were  as  clearly  justified,  one  of  eleven,  the 
other  thirteen  years  of  age.  There  is  a  great 
and  visible  change  in  all  these,  and  they  speak 
clearly  and  experimentally.  Seven  more  are 
under  conviction,  and  I  doubt  not  will  soon  be 
brought  into  liberty.  In  all,  we  have  certain 
accounts,  since  we  came,  of  forty-six  justified, 
eight  sanctified,  and  one  hundred  added  to  the 
society. 

As  to  myself,  I  never  was  so  truly  happy 
in  every  sense:  happy  in  increasing  union  and 
communion  with  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  and 
sunk  into  depths  of  humble  love.  I  feel  my 
unworthiness  and  nothingness  indescribable; 
yet,  stupendous  grace!  all  the  communicable 
fullness  of  a  Triune  God  is  mine.  I  feel  the 
equal  love  of  the  undivided  Deity.  As  I  wor¬ 
ship  the  Father,  so  I  worship  the  Son  and  the 
Holy  Ghost — my  God — my  all  in  all.  I  am 
happy,  too,  in  one  who  is  truly  a  help  £o  me 
both  for  soul  and  body  for  time  and  eternity, 
and  who  greatly  encourages  me  in  all  my  la¬ 
bors:  happy  in  my  situation,  among  a  lively, 
affectionate  people,  who  make  it  their  study 
how  to  manifest  their  love;  nor  have  we  one 
jarring  string  among  us.  0,  may  we  ever  be 
kept  humble  at  the  Savior’s  feet,  and  all  our 
blessings — as  through  grace  they  do — prove 
only  a  scale  to  heavenly  love.  Please  to  re¬ 
member  us,  in  the  most  affectionate  matter,  to 
dear  Mrs.  Fletcher.  We  entreat  an  interest  in 
both  your  prayers.  When  I  last  asked  this 
favor  at  Leeds,  I  believe  you  granted  it,  and 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  269 

that  your  petitions  were  answered.  Once 
more,  then,  pray  for  us,  and  believe  me,  dear 
sir,  in  Gospel  love,  your  willing  servant, 

H.  A.  Rogers. 


Letter  XXIX. — To  Mr.  Matthias  Joyce. 

Dublin,  May  1,  1785. 

Dear  Brother, — My  soul  greatly  rejoices 
in  your  joy.  I  do  join  with  you  in  that  song 
which  shall  never  end,  “Unto  him  that  hath 
loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his 
own  blood,  be  glory  forever  and  ever.”  0, 
how  precious  is  that  life  of  simple  faith  you 
describe  and  possess!  Go  on,  favored  servant 
of  the  Lord,  and  he  will  show  you  greater 
things  than  these.  I  do  not  mean  there  is  any 
thing  greater  or  higher  than  love:  but  in  this 
ocean,  what  hights,  what  lengths,  what  depths! 
what  immeasurable  degrees,  even  in  that  com¬ 
munion  with  a  Triune  God,  which  it  is  our 
privilege  to  prove.  I  know  you  feel  something 
of  what  I  mean,  even  of  equal  love  of  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.  This  we  can  not  'prop¬ 
erly  feel  till  freed  from  inbred  sin.  Where 
sin  remains,  there  can  not  be  that  close  union 
with  the  Father  I  now  speak  of:  but  sin  de¬ 
stroyed,  and  we  know  the  meaning  of  those 
words,  “The  Father  himself  loveth  you:”  and 
again,  “I  and  my  Father  will  come,  and  make 
our  abode  with  you.”  Yea,  the  whole  Deity 
flows  in  upon  us.  Consider  that  blessed  Scrip- 


270 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


ture,  “Know  ye  not  that  your  bodies  are  the 
temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  in  you; 
and  ye  are  not  your  own,  for  ye  are  bought 
with  a  price?”  By  whom?  By  Jesus:  there¬ 
fore,  glorify  God  the  Father;  even  the  Triune 
God — Father,  Son,  and  Spirit,  with  your  bodies 
and  your  spirits,  which  are  his. 

“Drawn,  and  redeem’d,  and  seal’d, 

We’ll  praise  the  One  and  Three, 

With  Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  fill’d 
To  all  eternity.” 

I  hope  the  Lord  will  carry  on  a  gracious 
work  in  Drogheda.  I  am  glad  to  hear  you 
see  so  good  a  beginning.  I  never  heard  of  so 
universal  a  revival,  as  I  am  told  by  many  is 
now  spreading  through  England,  Ireland,  and 
America;  and  yet  I  think  it  is  but  the  begin¬ 
ning  of  what  the  Lord  will  shortly  do.  Let  us 
not  be  weak  in  faith,  and  we  shall  se6  showers 
of  blessings.  The  promise  shall  surely  be  ac¬ 
complished,  and  perhaps  hastened  speedily  by 
the  universal  cry  of  God’s  dear  children: 
‘‘The  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge 
of  the  glory  of  God,  as  the  waters  cover  the 
sea.” 

I  doubt  not  but  you  have  had  a  precious  sea¬ 
son  with  Mr.  Wesley.  I  think  I  never  saw  him 
more  truly  filled  with  his  blessed  Master’s 
Spirit.  We  have  heard  of  two  souls  con¬ 
vinced  of  sin,  and  eight  justified  under  him, 
while  in  Dublin;  and,  blessed  be  God!  two 
more,  since  he  left  us,  can  praise  a  reconciled 
God,  and  one  is  set  at  perfect  liberty;  besides 
three  more  of  the  children,  who  have  received 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  271 

remission  of  sins.  I  find,  blessed  be  God,  my 
own  soul  is  as  a  watered  garden;  and  I  bave 
acces's  to  a  spring,  whose  waters  fail  not,  from 
which  I  ever  drink  fresh  supplies.  0,  what 
Veils  of  salvation!  what  an  unfathomable  ocean 
of  love! 

A  trifling  affliction  of  body  has,  I  think, 
sunk  me  deeper  into  God.  Such  lieart-felt, 
solid  peace,  such  inward  nearness  to,  and  fel¬ 
lowship  with  him,  I  have  proved  the  last  fort¬ 
night,  as  is  better  felt  than  described.  It  has 
been  much  of 

“That  sacred  awe  which  dares  not  move, 

And  all  the  silent  heaven  of  love.” 

0,  for  an  enlarged  heart!  0,  for  ten  thou¬ 
sand  tongues  to  praise  my  God!  As  it  is  said, 
“In  that  day  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  in  the 
Father,  you  in  me,  and  I  in  you,”  so  it  is — 
the  blessed  day  is  cctoie:  I  do  know  it:  I  do 
feel  it.  I  know  what  it  is  to  dwell  in  the 
Father,  through  the  Son,  and  by  the  uniting 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  ever  worship 
an  undivided  Deity.  These  words  have  often 
been  spoken  to  my  heart,  and  I  feel  them  now 
applied:  “All  that  I  have  is  thine:”  yes,  my 
Lord,  and  I  possess  a  drop  out  of  the  ocean. 
If  I  had  much  more  at  present,  it  would  lay 
me  dead  at  thy  feet:  but  all  is  mine  in  happy 
reversion,  and  what#  my  weakness  can  bear, 
thou  wilt  impart.  0,  make  thyself  room,  and 
more  of  heaven  bestow!  Thou  wilt,  thou  dost 
enlarge  my  heart.  I.  grasp  the  God  I  seek, 
the  God  I  love,  the  God  I  shall  enjoy  to  all 


272 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


eternity!  0,  what  a  word  is  that!  A  Triune 
God  my  own  to  all  eternity!  Yes,  yes,  he  is. 
Wonder,  0  heavens!  Be  astonished,  0  earth! 
Be  humble,  0  my  soul;  and  help  me  to  praise 
him,  all  ye  hosts  above!  0,  that  all  the  world 
knew  the  riches  of  divine,  love!  0,  that  all 
believers  would  give  him  all  their  heart! 

My  brother,  let  us  covenant  afresh  with  God, 
to  spread  the  savor  of  his  grace  with  all  our 
most  enlarged  powers;  especially  his  full  sal¬ 
vation,  that  rest  from  all  sin,  that  rest  of  per¬ 
fect  love,  received  by  simple  faith,  and  by 
faith  alone .  I  think  I  never  read  any  thing 
wherein  that  blessing  is  more  clearly  described 
than  Mr.  Wesley’s  sermon  in  the  March  and 
April  Magazines  for  this  year,  which  I  believe 
will  do  much  good:  for  how  many  have  been 
discouraged  by  not  knowing  and  considering 
that  one  point,  “Sin  is  a  willful  transgression 
of  a  known  law l’’  If  this  were  the  constant 
rule  by  which  we  judged  of  what  we  feel,  how 
many  vain  reasonings  would  be  answered — 
how  many  subtile  suggestions  of  the  enemy! 
A  mistake  through  ignorance,  or  through  an 
imperfect  memory,  together  with  various  hate¬ 
ful  injections  from  an  enemy;  a  dullness  of 
sjoirit,  occasioned^  by  the  body;  or  a  flutter  of 
spirit,  occasioned  by  surprise,  etc.;  none  of 
these,  I  say,  or  all  of  them  put  together,  would 
then  appear  a  sufficient  reason  why  a  soul 
should  cast  away  its  confidence  respecting 
what  the  Lord  has  wrought.  Seeing  these  are 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


273 


consistent  with  pure  love,  they  are  not  willful 
transgressions  of  a  known  law. 

May  the  Lord  bless  you  in  your  soul  and 
labors  still  more  abundantly,  prays,  dear 
brother,  your  friend  and  sister  in  Jesus,’ 

H.  A.  Rogers. 


Letter  XXX. — To  Rev.  J.  Wesley* 

November  21,  1782. 

My  Dear  and  Honored  Sir, — I  have  been 
much  indisposed  since  I  wrote  last,  but  I  think 
it  is  not  wholly  my  old  disorders.  I  believe 
since  my  cousin’s  death  my  nerves  have  been 
much  affected,  because  any  thing  sudden  will 
occasion  tremors,  which  I  can  no  otherwise 
.account  for,  at  th@  same  time  that  my  soul  is 
in  perfect  peace  and  solidly  happy;  as  also 
many  times  there  is  a  dullness  and  stupidity, 
when- at  the  same  moment  I  feel  a  direct  wit¬ 
ness  that  it  proceeds  not  from  any  abatement 
of  the  ardors*  of  love  divine.  Glory  be  to 
God,  I  feel  this  as  a  well  of  water  ever  spring¬ 
ing  up  afresh,  and  I  know  the  work  of  his 
•grace  takes  still  deeper  root  than  ever  in  my 
worthless  heart;  and  though  at  times  the 
enemy  suggests,  if  this  nervous  disorder  takes 
hold  of  me,  as  on  my  late  dear  cousin,  I  shall 
not  rejoice  evermore,  as  I  have  done  hitherto; 
yet  I  am  enabled  to  answer  him,  in  the  power 
of  faith,  “My  strength  shall  be  equal  to  my 
18 


274 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


day.”  If  he  afflicts,  I  have  his  wor  bof  prom¬ 
ise,  “My  grace,  Js  sufficient  for  thee.”  Nor 
can  I  have  one  painful  fear:  I  know  in  whom 
I  trust. 

I  was  yesterday  employed  in  visiting  mem¬ 
bers  of  the  classes  with  Mr.  R.;  a  business 
which  has  been  much  neglected  here  of  late, 
and  which,  I  trust,  will  be  made  a  blessing  to 
many.  I  find  it  profitable.  Mr.  R.  has  suf¬ 
fered  much  through  the  prejudices  of  some; 
but  he  is  as  gold  purified  in  the  fire:  it  has 
been  an  unspeakable  blessing.  It  has  cut  off 
his  intimacy  with  those  who  would  perhaps 
have  proved  snares  and  hinderances  to  his  soul 
and  his  labors;  and  united  him  more  closely  to 
the  little  flock,  who  are  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs 
of  the  kingdom.  I  believe  he  has  acted  faith¬ 
fully  to  God,  to  souls,  and  to  you. 

The  select  band  is  now  the  most  precious 
meeting  in  which  I  ever  assembled.  There 
are  forty-eight  members,  all  truly  and  happily 
walking  in  the  narrow  path:  thirty-five,  I  have 
no  doubt,  enjoy  perfect  love.  About  six  have 
enjoyed  it  before,  and  are  now  seeking  it 
afresh,  and  the  rest,  who  never  enjoyed  it,  are 
thirsting  for  it  more  than  gold  or  silver.  We 
are  all,  too,  united  in  one  spirit.  All  in  this 
little  company  are  helpers  of  each  other’s  joy. 

I  love  Mrs.  R.  much:  she  is,  indeed,  one  of 
the  excellent  ones  of  the  earth.  I  feel  much 
for  you  respecting  the  affair  at  Birstal:  may 
the  Lord  strengthen  your  hands,  and  in  doing 
so,  defend  his  own  cause!  Your  warfare  shall 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


275 


surely  yet  be  glorious,  though  it  be  through 
briers,  or  thorns,  or  scorpions.  The  Lord  still 
reigneth,  and  will  defend  his  dear  servants. 
Surely  he  is  purging  his  Zion,  and  will  remove 
the  chaff,  and  leave  himself  a  pure  and  a 
peaceable  remnant,  whose  motto  shall  be, 
“Holiness  to  the  Lord.” 

The  openness  of  my  disposition  has  some¬ 
times  brought  me  into  inconveniences;  but 
with  you  I  believe  it  will  not,  and,  therefore, 
I  speak  freely.  I  am  very  unapt  to  suspect 
any  person  of  guile,  but  experience  tells  me 
all  are  not  to  be  trusted.  I  feel  I  need  the 
continual  unction  of  the  Holy  One  to  teach 
me.  0  pray  that  this  may  be  ever  given  to 
your  ever  affectionate,  unworthy  child  in  a 
precious  Jesus,  H.  A.  Rogers. 


Letter  XXXI. — To  the  same. 

Cork,  January  24,  1788. 

My  Dear  and  Honored  Sir, — Never  had 
one  so  every  way  undeserving,  so  much  reason 
to  praise  a  God  of  love.  Day  after  day — nay, 
every  hour  I  breathe,  he  loadeth  me  with  his 
multiplied  mercies;  yea,  .they  are  more  in  num¬ 
ber  than  the  hairs  of  my  head.  If  I  did  not 
love  him  with  all  my  consecrated  powers,  and 
every  moment  offer  up  my  little  all — if  I  were 
not  resolved  to  embrace  every  opportunity  to 
spend  and  be  spent  in  service  so  divine,  I 
should  of  all  mortals  be  the  most  inexcusable: 


276 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


for  0!  Ms  love  to  me  is  boundless;  I  prove  it 
an  ocean  without  a  bottom  or  a  shore.  The 
sweet  communion  I  have  with  Father,  Son, 
and  Spirit,  is  unspeakable!  and  whatsoever  I 
ask  of  God  in  faith,  it  is  done.  In  God  I  live: 
in  him  I  move:  by  him  I  act  and  speak;  and 
it  is  in  him  alone  I  enjoy  all  my  mercies. 

Since  I  wrote  last  we  have  fresh  cause  for 
praise.  The  Lord  is  doing  wonders  among  us 
here.  It  seems  very  likely,  at  present,  we 
shall  see  as  great  a  work  here  as  at  Dublin. 
At  the  visitation  of  the  classes  this  Christmas, 
we  found  the  society  increased  from  three 
hundred  and  ninety-seven  members — the  num¬ 
ber  it  contained  last  conference — to  five  hun¬ 
dred  and  four;  and  the  number  of  classes  are 
increased  from  twenty-four  to  thirty;  and  fifty- 
six  souls  have  found  peace  with  God  since 
September  last.  The  Christmas  festival  w~as 
a  most  blessed  season.  On  Christmas  morn¬ 
ing,  at  four  o’clock,  the  preaching-house  was 
well  filled,  and  God  was  truly  present  to  bless; 
many  were  awakened,  and  four  justified  at  the 
watch-night  on  New-Year’s  eve.  Several  also 
found  pardon  at  the  love -feast,  and  many  wit¬ 
nessed  a  good  confession:  '  but  the  time*  of 
renewing  our  covenant  exceeded  all:  fourteen 
souls  were  that  day  born  of  God:  some  at 
their  classes,  and  the  rest  at  that  sweet*solemn 
season  of  the  covenant.  The  house  was  truly 
shaken — -I  mean  every  soul  therein — by  the 
power  of  God.  I  believe  none  present,  preach- 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


277 


ers  or  people,  will  ever  forget  it.  I  trust  I 
never  shall.  It  was  none  other  than  the  ante¬ 
chamber  of  glory  to  my  soul — the  house  of 
God — the  gate  of  heaven.  0  how  was  I  filled 
with  his  presence!  how  did  I  bask  in  the  beams 
of  his  love!  how  was  I  made  to  feel  his  im¬ 
measurable  fullness  all  my  own,  through  cove¬ 
nant  blood  divine!  Several  were  perfected  in 
love,  and  several  backsliders  restored.  Since 
this,  between  thirty  and  forty  have  joined  the 
socitey;  several  of  whom  date  their  deep  awak¬ 
enings  from  the  covenant  night.  Mr.  Rogers 
saw  it  expedient,  on  that  occasion,  to  give 
notes  of  admittance  to  some  who  were  halting 
between  two  opinions;  and  most  of  them  were 
then,  and  are  now,  determined  to  be  the 
Lord’s. 

My  class  being  now  divided,  I  meet  twenty 
on  Tuesday,  and  eighteen  on  Friday.'  My 
heart  is  knit  to  these  precious  souls;  and, 
blessed  be  God!  we  never  meet  in  vain.  The 
Lord  is  pleased  to  bless  me  in  all  my  wepk 
labors,  and  he  knows  I  ascribe  to  him  all  the 
good  done,  and  all  the  glory.  I  do  lie  at  his 
feet,  and  am  astonished  at  his  condescending 
love  to  such  a  worm.  Last  Sunday  evening, 
thanksgiving  notes  were  sent  by  four,  for  a 
sense  of  pardon  received  last  week;  and  we 
hear  of  two  more,  who  received  the  same 
blessing  that  day.  Several  of  our  dear  friends, 
who  know  and  love  the  Lord,  have  entered 
into  a  solemn  covenant  with  him,  and  with 


278 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


each  other,  never  to  rest  till  they  experience 
perfect  lov-e.  One  of  these  has  since  received 
the  blessing,  and  seems  in  all  things  a  new 
creature  indeed. 

We  have  got  another  new  place  for  preach¬ 
ing,  in  a  very  convenient  and  populous  part  of 
this  city.  Mr.  R.  preached  there  the  first  time 
a  fortnight  ago,  and  told  the  congregation  he 
would  meet  in  a  class  as  many  as  were  deter¬ 
mined  to  forsake  their  sins,  and  seek  the  king¬ 
dom  of  God  with  all  their  hearts.  Fourteen 
offered  themselves,  and  were  admitted  on  trial; 
and  since  then,  five  more;  so  that  there  is  a 
new  class  meets  there,  of  nineteen  members. 
Great  good  is  likely  to  be  done,  as  most  of  the 
hearers  that  attend  are  strangers  who  perhaps 
would  never  have  heard  elsewhere.  We  have 
now  five  preaching-houses,  at  different  parts 
and  proper  distances;  and  I  believe  we  shall 
see  a  glorious  harvest  of  precious  souls.  In 
all,  since  we  came,  seventy-seven  are  enabled 
to  rejoice  in  a  reconciled  God,  and  many  more 
seem  just  ready  to  step  into  the  liberty  of 
God’s  children. 

We  hear  good  news  respecting  the  work  of 
God  in  Dublin,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  king¬ 
dom.  0  may  the  Lord  ride  on  in  the  glorious 
and  triumphant  chariot  of  Gospel  grace  and 
salvation  till  all  be  subdued!  My  dear  Mr. 
Rogers  begs  me  to  send  his  love  to  yeu,  and 
joins  me  in  daily  intercessions  at  a  throne  of 
grace,  that  you  may  be  filled  with  the  fullness 
of  every  new  covenant  blessing.  I  am,  my 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


279 


dear  sir,  your  ever-obliged  and  truly-affection- 
ate,  though  unworthy  friend  and  servant, 

H.  A.  Rogers. 


Letter  XXXII. — To  one  who  had  set  out  fair 
for  the  kingdom  of  heaven ,  but  at  this  time 
was  grown  languid  and  faint  in  spiritual 
things ,  and  likely  to  return  to  the  spirit  and 
customs  of  the  world . 

Cork,  January  16,  1789. 

My  Dear  Friend,: — I  have  long  desired  to 
see  your  soul  advance  in  spiritual  life:  and 
having  considered  your  state  in  secret,  and 
with  solemn  prayer  before  God,  I  think  duty 
calls  me  to  try,  if  by  freely  and  fairly  expos> 
tulating  with  you,  I  may,  through  grace,  be 
an  instrument  of  stirring  you  up  to  seek  the 
Lord  afresh,  in  that  manner  which  alone  will 
avail  to  your  salvation;  <?ven  so  as  expert 
mentally  to  feel  him  your  God,  reconciled  in 
Christ*  Jesus.  Short  of  this  you  can  not  be 
happy — you  are  not  safe.  An  unpardoned 
sinner  is  under  all  the  curses  of  a  broken  law; 
especially  that  sentence,  “  Cursed  is  every  one 
who  continueth  not  in  all  things  written  in  the 
book  of  the  law,  to  do  them:”  which  stands  in 
full  force  against  that  soul  who  has  never  taken 
refuge  in  the  one  and  only  propitiation  for  sin, 
even  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous;  for  no  man 
can  come  to  the  Father  but  by  him;  neither 
is  there  salvation  in  any  other.  He  himself 


280  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

assures  us,  “If  ye  die  in  your  sins,  where  I 
am  ye  can  not  come;”  and,  “Except  a  naan 
be  born  again,  he  can  not  see  the  kingdom  of 
God.”  Bear  with  one  who  loves  you,  then, 
while  I  ask  a  few  serious  questions,  as  in  the 
presence  of  God,  before  whom  we  must  shortly 
both  appear, ?  and  in  whose  sight  all  things  are 
naked  and  open. 

Are  you  now  as  earnest  in  seeking  the  par¬ 
don  of  all  your  sins,  as  you  were  when,  two 
years  ago,  you  came  with  deep,  penitential 
sorrow  and  floods  of  tears,  to  join  the  society 
of  God’s  people?  0,  that  you  could  answer 
me  in  the  affirmative!  You  well  remember 
the  language  of  your  soul  then  was,  “The 
remembrance  of  my  sins  is  grievous  to  me, 
the  burden  of  them  is  intolerable:  'a  Wounded 
spirit  who  can  bear?”  You  saw  yourself  a 
barren  fig-tree,  a  cumberer  of  the  ground;  a 
brand  ready  for  the  burning;  and  that  infinite 
Justice  must  have  sentenced  you  to  the  pit 
whence  there  is  no  return,  if  unmerited  mercy 
in  your  divine  Advocate  had  not  prayed,  “Let 
it  still  alone.”  .  Your  cry  was,  with  the  publi¬ 
can,  “God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner,”  and, 
with  sinking  Peter,  “Lord  save,  or  I  perish.” 
For  a  time  you  acted  agreeably  to  such  con¬ 
victions;  promising  wras  the  prospect,  and  fair 
the  bud  of  grace;  the  arms  of  love  were  ready 
to  receive  you,  and  angels  even  began  to  re¬ 
joice  over  a  repenting  sinner.  But  ah!  where 
are  now  those  fervent  desires,  those  ardent 
breathings  after .  God,  those  restless  longings. 


MRS.  IIESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


281 


which  nothing  but  the  knowledge  of  his  love 
could  satisfy?  Where  is  that  restless  spirit 
of  prayer,  that  love  to  every  ordinance  and 
means  of  grace?  How  seldom  was  your  seat 
in  God’s  house  then  empty?  Where  is  fled 
that  deep  seriousness  which  then  ever  sat  on 
your  countenance,  and  accompanied  all  your 
conversation?  that  deadliness*  to  worldly  com¬ 
pany,  worldly  concerns,  and  the  good  will  of 
worldly  persons?  in  short,  that  whole  deport¬ 
ment,  which  loudly  spoke  to  all,  that  the  lan¬ 
guage  of  your  soul  was, 

None  but  Christ  to  me  be  given — 

None  but  Christ  in  earth  or  heaven'?” 

My  dear  friend,  I  could  weep  over  yqu 
while  I  see  the  sad  reverse.  Alas!  it  is  not 
with  you  now  as  it  was  then.  You  seem  to 
have  lost  that  blessed  power,  that  weeping 
penitence,  that  happy  victory  over  all  the 
charms  a  delusive  world  can  boast!'  Say,  is  it 
not  the  case?  Have  you  not  sunk  back  into 
careless  ease  and  indifference,  with  respect 
to  heavenly  things — a  false  peace,  and  your 
spirit  become  light  and  trifling?  You  can 
now  converse  on  worldly  subjects,  even  as 
others,  and  join  in  their  empty  laughter;’  yea,  * 
and  prefer  such  company  to  the  lovers  of 
Jesus.  0,  why  is  this  awful  change?  Is 
God  no  longer  a  just  and  holy  God,  to  pdnish 
sin?  Is  he  ijo  longer  a  God  of  truth,  who 
hath  said,  “The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall 
die?”  “Except  ye  be  converted,  and  become 
as  little  children,  ye  shall  in  no  case  enter  into 


282 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


the  kingdom  of  heaven?”  Is  Christ  and  sal¬ 
vation,  pardon  here  and  glory  hereafter,  no 
longer  desirable?  If  otherwise,  why,  then, 
are  you  neglecting  and  trifling  with  your  most 
important  concerns?  Why  are  you  returned 
to  that  which  can  not  satisfy?  I  tremble  for 
you!  0,  cry  mightily  to  God,  and  rest  not 
till  you  are  again  filled  with  that  hungering 
and  thirsting  that  can  not  be  satisfied,  but  in 
an  experimental  knowledge  of  Jesus  crucified, 
and  his  nature  written  on  your  heart! 

As  the  first  step  to  a  recovery,  let  me 
beseech  you,  now  lift  up  your  soul  to  Him 
who  discerneth  in  secret,  and  ask  him,  Lord, 
why  is  thy  striving  Spirit  departed,  or  just 
departing  from  me?  Yea,  ask  your  own  soul, 
Wdierein  did  you  resist  and  grieve  that  Spirit? 
He  convinced  you,  he  that  would  follow 
Christ  so  as  to  be  saved  by  him,  must  forsake 
and  give  up  all.  But  were  you  faithful  and 
obedient  to  these  teachings?  Did  you  not, 
after  a  little,  begin  to  keep  something  back, 
and  say,  Is  it  not  a  little  one?  Was  there  no 
creature  delight,  no  beloved  companion  you 
had  forsaken  for— Christ’s  sake,  which  you 
have  again  yielded  to,  and  taken  pleasure  in? 
pleasing  yourself  with  the  hope  that  this  Agag 
might  be  spared?  whereas  the  Spirit  of  truth 
hath  said,  “The  companion  of  fools  shall  be 
destroyed:”  and  you  are  expressly  command¬ 
ed,  “  Come  ye  out  from  among  them,  and  be 
ye  separate,  saith  the  Lord:”  on  this  condi¬ 
tion  only,  saith  he,  “I  will  receive  you,  and 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  283 

will  be  a  Father  unto  you,  and  ye  shall  be  my 
sons  and  my  daughters,  saith  the  Lord  Al¬ 
mighty.” 

While  you  obeyed  the  voice  of  God,  you 
could  not  go  to  balls,  plays,  or  cards;  for  his 
Spirit  taught  you,  “She  that  liveth  in  pleas¬ 
ure  is  dead  while  she  liveth.”  But,  have 
you  not  been  prevailed  upon?  or,  if  not,  have 
you  not,  in  what  is  called  little  things,  con¬ 
formed  to  the  world — such  as  fashionable 
adorning  of  the  body,  even  in  immodest  as 
well  as  costly  array?  whereas,  the  command 
is  plain  and  positive,  and  easy  to  be  under¬ 
stood,  “That  women  adorn  themselves  in 
modest  apparel,  with  shamefacedness  and  sobri¬ 
ety;  not  with  broidered  hair,  or  gold,  or  costly 
array.”  And  again:  “Be  ye  not  conformed 
to  this  world,  but  be  ye  transformed  by  the 
renewing  of  your  mind;”  that  is,  if  ye  would 
“prove  the  acceptable  will  of  God.”  Now, 
consider  a  moment,  after — contrary  to  checks 
of  conscience — indulging  yourself  in  any  of 
these  things,  could  you  pray  as  before?  nay, 
were  even  your  desires  after  God  and  spiritual 
things  as  lively  and  vigorous?  Ah  no!  the 
Spirit  of  God  was  grieved,  and  he  moved  not 
upon  your  spirit.  He  left  you  to  yourself, 
and  you  neglected  duty  more  and  more;  till 
now,  I  fear,  you  can  at  times  plead  with  the 
world  you  had  forsaken,  against  singularity, 
against  shutting  yourself  up  from  carnal  com¬ 
pany,  and  subjecting  yourself  to  the  sneers 
and  disdain  of  those  who  see  no  beauty  in 


284 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Christ  and  salvation.  Alas,  how  changed! 
how  trifling  did  you  once  account  the  scoffs 
and  frowns  of  such!  yea,  not  worth  a  thought, 
when  you  first  felt  your  state  as  a  lost  sinner! 
then  you  would  cry, 

“Let  earth  and  all  its  trifles  go: 

Give  me,  O  Lord,  thyself  to  know; 

Give  me  thy  precious  love.” 

And  are  you  happier  now?  Are  you  in  a  safer 
state — more  fit  for  heaven?  It  is  true,  you  may 
have  less  fears  of  hell;  but  this  is  no  good  sign, 
for  you  have  more  cause  to  fear.  You  were 
then  a  repenting  sinner;  and,  had  you  perse¬ 
vered  to  seek,  you  would,  before  now,  have 
been  a  child  of  God,  and  an  heir  of  glory. 
But  you  are  now  a  trifling  sinner;  and,  0, 
think  a  moment!  what  is  it  you  are  trifling 
with? — with  God  that  made  you — with  Jesus, 
who  shed  his  blood  for  you — with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  who  awakened,  and  hath  been  long 
striving  with  you:  you  are  trifling  with  eternal 
happiness  and  eternal  pain,  and  with  your  own 
immortal  soul.  This  is  an  important  subject, 
and  demands  your  immediate  attention:  in  a 
little  time  it  will  be  too  late  to  reflect  or  re¬ 
pent.  0,  then,  as  you  value  eternal  life,  stop! 
0,  go  not  a  step  further  from  your  God;  but 
return,  with  weeping  and  supplication,  to  the 
feet  of  him  you  have  pierced — him  who  yet 
prays  for  you,  or  you  had  been  in  hell — to 
him  who  is  yet  willing  to  wash  you  in  his  own 
blood,  and,  by  the  power  of  that  Spirit  you 
have  grieved,  save  you  from  all ,  even  your 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


285 


most  besetting  sin.  But  delay  not,  or  he  may 
sw^ear,  “You  shall  never  enter  into  his  rest.” 
Speedily  cut  off  the  right  hand — pluck  out 
the  right  eye — take  up  your  cross,  and  give  up 
all.  You  can  not  serve  God  and  Mammon: 
you  can  not  be  a  friend  of  the  world,  and  not 
be  the  enemy  of  God:  you  can  not  indulge  the 
spirit  of  the  world  without  losing  your  own 
soul.  And  be  not  deceived:  if  you  follow  the 
fashions  and  vain  customs  thereof,  you  have 
the  spirit  of  it,  and  love  it  more  than  God. 
“If  as  the  world  you  live,  you  as  the  world 
will  die.”  *4 God  forbid  this  should  be  the  case! 
0,  fly  for  refuge  to  the  hope  set  before  you! 
and  let  me  have  joy  over  you  in  time,  and  in 
the  day  of  eternity! 

I  have,  however,  warned  you;  and  perhaps 
it  may  be  your  last  warning,  your  last  call,  if 
you  should  now  rieglect.  God  will  not  always 
strive.  He  may,  before  you  are  aware,  lay 
the  axe  at  the  root  of  the  tree,  and  cut  it 
down.  0,  that  you  may  henceforward  bring 
forth  the  fruits  he  requires;  first,  the  fruits  of 
repentance,  then  the  genuine  fruits  of  faith! 
Then  shall  I  meet  you  with  joy  among  the 
sheep  at  the  right  hand  of  yonder  dazzling 
throne! — when  the  Ancient  of  days  shall  sit, 
and  the  books  shall  be  opened — Avhen  the 
righteous  shall  shine,  as  the  sun,  in  the  king¬ 
dom  of  their  Father,  and  be  as  pillars  in  his 
house  above,  to  go  out  no  more!  Amen,  Lord 
Jesus,  prays  yours,  in  real  affection, 

H.  A.  Rogers. 


286 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


Letter  XXXIII. — -To  Mrs.  Condy,  on  the  sub¬ 
ject  of  Christian  perfection. 

Cork,  October  11,  1789. 

My  Dear  Friend  and  Sister, — I  believe 
you  are  well  able  to  answer  your  own  ques¬ 
tions.  However,  as  you  desire  it,  I  will  freely 
tell  you  my  thoughts  on  what  we  call  Christian 
perfection.  We  do  not  mean,  hereby,  the  per¬ 
fection  of  God,  of  angels,  of  disembodied  spir¬ 
its,  or  of  Adam  while  innocent.  But  we  mean 
that  perfection  of  which  our  natures  are  capa¬ 
ble,  through  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  second  Adam.  We  are  under  the 
law  to  Christ;  namely,  the  law  of  love — the 
law  of  liberty;  or,  in  other  words,  the  cove¬ 
nant  of  grace.  Whosoever  loveth  the  Lord 
his  God  with  all  his  heart,  and  mind,  and 
soul,  and  strength,  and  his  neighbor  as  him- 
self,  fulfilleth  this  law.  The  lowest  degree  of 
this  salvation  is  to  have  all  contrarieties  to 
this  love  cast  out  of  the  soul.  We  may  be 
said  thus  to  love  him  with  a  pure  heart ,  when 
proud  self,  and  great  I,  are  slain,  and  we  feel 
only  humility;  when  anger,  fretfulness,  and 
impatience  are  no  more;  but  we  ever  feel  a 
meek  and  quiet  spirit,  when  I  will,  and  I  will 
not,  is  all  brought  into  subjection  to  the  will 
of  our  heavenly  Father,  and  our  will  is,  that 
/^  should  reign  over  us;  when  he  really  does 
regulate  and  govern  our  passions,  affections, 
and  desires;  inordinate  desires,  and  inordinate 
creature  love  being  no  more;  and,  lastly, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  2&7 

unbelief — and,  consequently,  all  tormenting 
fear  and  painful  anxiety — is  wholly  cast  out. 
But,  after  all  this,  it  remains  that  we  go  for¬ 
ward,  that  we  grow  in  grace,  till  we  be  not 
only  emptied  of  sin,  but  filled  with  all  the  full¬ 
ness  of  God.  * 

The  moment  any  soul  is  justified,  it  is  free 
from  the  power  or  dominion  of  outward  and  of 
inward  sin;  and  may  hold  fast  that  blessed 
freedom  to  the  end.  But,  supposing  a  person 
does  this,  such  a  one  will  feel  a  mixture  of 
evil  propensities,  tempers,  affections,  and  de¬ 
sires;*  which  defilement  is  so  rooted  in  our  na¬ 
ture,  that  none  but  Jehovah  Jesus  can  cast- out 
“the  strong  man  armed,  and  spoil  all  his  armor 
wherein  he  trusted.”  It  is  true  we  may  mor¬ 
tify,  resist,  and  keep  under  those  evils;  but 
Jesus  alone  can  pluck  up  and  destroy  every 
plant  and  root  which  his  Father  planted  not. 
We  may  gradually  grow  in  grace  and  holiness, 
and  hereby  increase  in  victoriously  subjecting 
the  enemy  within;  but  Jesus  alone  can  slay 
the  man  of  sin. 

All  salvation,  too^is  by  faith  alone,  as  the 
instrument.  If,  then,  we  must  be  saved  by 
faith,  it  is  in  a  moment,  and  th  &  present  mo¬ 
ment,  if  not  our  own  fault;  for  what  wait  we 
for,  who  are  the  children  ana  heirs  of  God, 
and,  therefore,  heirs  of  the  promises,  which 
are  all,  to  us,  “  yea  and  amen,  in  Christ 
Jesus?”  If  we  wait  for  more  worthiness — to 
suffer  more,  to  do  more,  to  be  more  fit — then 
we  are  seeking  to  be  sanctified  by  these  things; 


288 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


namely,  by  works.  But  if  we  believe  we  can 
only  obtain  the  blessing  by  grace,  through 
faith,  and  this  salvation  is  the  free  gift  of 
God,  then  let  us  be  consistent  with  ourselves; 
let  us  expect  it  by  faith — expect  it  in  a  mo¬ 
ment,  and  expect  it  now ,  which  are  one  and 
the  same  thing,  and  are  inseparable.  To  be 
dying  and  to  be  dead,  indeed,  unto  sin,  are  two 
things.  Be  not  you,  my  sister,  content  with 
the  former:  “ A  man  may  be  dying  for  some 
time,”  says  Mr.  Wesley,  “yet,  properly  speak¬ 
ing,  he  does  not  die  till  the  moment  the  soul  is 
separated  from  his  body,  and  in  that  instant  he 
begins  to  live  the  life  of  eternity.  In  like 
manner,  a  man  may  be  dying  unto  sin  for  some 
time;  yet  he  is  not  ‘dead  indeed  unto  sin,’  till 
sin  be  separated  from  the  soul,  and  in  that  in¬ 
stant  he  begins  to  live  the  life  of  pure  love.” 
0,  be  you  “dead  indeed  unto  sin,  and  alive 
unto  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  your  Lord!” 

It  is  the  blood  of  Jesus  alone  cleanseth  from 
all  sin;  not  penal  sufferings,  not  mortifications 
of  any  kind,  not  any  thing  we  have,  not  grace 
already  received,  not  anything  we  are,  or  can 
be;  nor  death,  nor  purgatory;  no,  not  the  pur¬ 
gatory  of  a$  doings,  and  sufferings,  and  striv¬ 
ings  put  together;  no,  no;  Christ  is  the  pro¬ 
curing,  meritorious  cause  of  all  our  salvation. 
He  alone  forgiveth  sins,  and  he  alone  cleanseth 
from  all  unrighteousness.  Faith  is  the  only 
condition,  and  it  shares  in  the  Omnipotence  it 
dares  to  trust.  “  All  things  are  now  ready,” 
is  the  Gospel  message;  and  Jesus  saveth  all 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


289 


them  to  the  uttermost  that  come  unto  God  by 
him.  “I  will,  be  thou  clean,”  is  his  language 
to  every  seeking,  leprous  soul — to  you,  if  not 
already  cleansed. 

Joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost  is  a  blessed  fruit  of 
this  salvation;  but  divine  joy  is  not  always 
rapturous;  we  may  be  sorrowful,  yet  always 
rejoicing;  and  there  is  suffering  love,  as  well 
as  exulting  love.  A  person  saved,  as  above, 
may  experience  a  degree  of  heaviness,  or  dull¬ 
ness,  for  a  season,  through  bodily  infirmities, 
close  trials,  or  sundry  temptations;  but  such  a 
one  can  not  walk  in  darkness.  Likewise,  many 
mistakes  are  consistent  with  this  state;  I  mean 
errors  in  judgment  and  failures  in  memory; 
yet  the  will  stands  firm  for  God,  and  the  in¬ 
tention  is  always  single.  Involuntary  sins,  as 
some  call  them,  or  sins  of  ignorance — except 
the  ignorance  be  willful — are  not  breaches  of 
the  law  of  love;  for  these  things  we  have  an 
advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the 
righteous,  who  is  our  propitiation,  and  washes 
our  holiest  duties  in  his  own  blood;  to  whom 
we  will  ever  give  honor  and  glory.  I  am,  my 
dear  sister,  yours,  in  the  bonds  of  pure  love, 

H.  A.  Rogers. 

Letter  XXXIV. —  To  one  lately  emerged  out 
of  Arian  darkness. 

Cork,  November  5,  1789. 

My  Dear  Miss  D., — I  received  the  favor  of 
vours,  and  rejoice  that  you  know  in  whom 

19 


290  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

you  have  believed,  and  that  your  face  is  now 
Zionward.  Go  on,  my  dear  sister;  it  is  a 
blessed  path;  the  goodly  land  is  before — the 
land  of  sacred  liberty,  and  glorious  rest  from 
all  sin.  0,  that  you  may  soon  prove,  by 
happy  experience,  “perfect  love  casteth  out 
all  [slavish]  fear!”  and  that  the  deepest  hu¬ 
miliation  before  God,  on  account  of  our  igno¬ 
rance,  helplessness,  and  unworthiness,  is  not 
only  consistent  with ,  but  inseparable  from , 
rejoicing  evermore;  for  the  ground  of  that  re¬ 
joicing  is,  that  he  who  hath  loved,  and  washed 
me  from  my  sins  in  his  own  blood,  hath  all  the 
honor  and  glory,  and  is  all  in  all  forever;  while 
I  sink,  a  poor  worm,  at  his  feet,  overwhelmed 
at  his  free,  unmerited  grace — grace  that 
plucked  me  from  the  gulf  beneath — reconciled 
a  poor,  guilty  rebel  to  her  God — changed  the 
leopard’s  spots,  and  made  the  Ethiop  white. 
Thus,  the  more  deep  our  sense  of  unworthi¬ 
ness,  the  more  precious  is  Jesus,  our  interced¬ 
ing  advocate  with  the  Father,  who,  in  his 
exalted  human  nature,  ever  liveth  to  intercede 
for  us,  till  that  day  when  he  shall  deliver  up 
the  kingdom — namely,  his  mediatorial  office — 
to  God,  even  the  Father;  and  the  glorious 
Godhead  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
shall  be  all  in  all  forever.  0,  the  preciousness 
of  such  a  High  Priest,  such  a  Savior,  such  a 
Counselor,  such  a  King!  O,  for  more  heart¬ 
felt  union  with  him — more  of  the  power  of  his 
transforming  love!  Blessed  promise,  “He 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  291 

that  hungereth  and  thirsteth  after  righteous¬ 
ness  shall  be  filled.” 

You  have  heard,  I  doubt  not,  of  precious 
Mr.  Fletcher’s  death,  and  how  he  proclaimed, 
with  his  latest  breath,  God  is  love!  0,  that 
we  may  be  filled,  as  he  was,  with  his  heavenly 
Master’s  Spirit!  There  was  a  witness  of  the 
power  of  grace!  a  living  and  a  dying  witness 
that  Jesus  can  save  to  the  uttermost.  Let  me 
exhort  my  dear  friend  to  come  just  as  you  are 
to  the  open  fountain  of  his  precious  blood; 
and  how  soon  may  you  feel  the  merit  of  Him 
you  were  once  taught  to  despise,  made  of  God 
unto  you  not  only  wisdom  and  righteousness , 
but  also  sanctification  and  redemption ! 

You  see  how  freely  I  write,  as  if  I  had  known 
you  seven  years.  I  hope  you  will  follow  my 
example  in  this,  and  let  me  know  the  particu¬ 
lars  of  your  spiritual  state,  that  I  may  rejoice 
yet  more  in  your  joy.  My  love  and  my  dear 
partner’s  attend  you.  “May  He  that  liveth, 
and  was  dead,  who  is  the  First  and  the  Last, 
the  bright  and  the  morning  Star,”  be  the  por¬ 
tion  of  your  happy  soul,  prays  your  invariable 
friend,  H.  A.  Rogers. 


Letter  XXXV. — To  a  Friend. 

London,  December  5,  1792. 

My  Dear  Sister, — As  our  blessed  Lord  has 
again  restored  me  to  a  little  strength,  I  feel 


292  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

renewed  desires  to  devote  it  all  to  him.  Wish¬ 
ing  to  be  of  some  little  use  to  the  afflicted 
among  his  dear  saints,  in  the  course  of  my 
visits  yesterday  morning,  I  called  upon  Mrs. 
Jacques — a  poor  woman,  only  three  doors 
from  our  Spitalfields  chapel;  and  I  was  thank¬ 
ful  I  did  so.  She  gave  me  a  pleasing,  affect¬ 
ing  account  of  her  husband,  who  died  a  month 
ago.  Hoping  and  praying  it  may  prove  as 
great  a  blessing  to  your  soul  as  it  has  been  to 
mine,  I  here  relate  the  particulars. 

They  had  been  married  five  years.  For  two 
years  after  their  marriage  they  lived  reputably; 
when  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  afflict  Mr.  Jacques 
with  a  palsy,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  work; 
and  about  eighteen  months  ago  he  had  a  sec¬ 
ond  stroke,  which  took  away  the  use  of  one 
side  entirely;  and  he  was  then  confined  to  his 
bed.  A  bloodvessel  was  strained,  or  broken, 
which  affected  his  throat,  and  formed  a  lump 
there  as  big  as  the  head  of  a  child.  This 
affliction  reduced  them  to  deep  poverty;  but 
they  were  assisted  by  kind  friends,  who  also 
visited  and  prayed  constantly  with  him. 
While  in  health,  Mr.  Jacques  had  frequently 
heard  the  Methodists,  and  was  enlightened 
respecting  the  way  of  salvation;  and,  during 
his  sickness,  he  earnestly  sought  the  Lord; 
out  his  evidence  was  never  clear,  till  a  little 
before  his  death.  His  wife  knew  the  Lord  in 
her  youth,  but  was  a  backslider  in  heart  from 
his  love;  yet  she  earnestly  desired  salvation 
for  her  dying  husband;  and  would  often  say, 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 


293 


“My  dear,  how  is  it  with  your  soul?  Have 
you  confidence  in  God?”  etc.  He  would  an¬ 
swer,  “I  am  not  happy;  I  have  no  assurance.” 
She  asked,  “Do  you  think  he  has  power  to 
save  you?”  He  said,  “0  yes;  but  I  want  to 
know  he  does  save  me!”  Several  friends 
prayed  with  him,  and  for  him;  yet  the  cloud 
remained  till  the  Monday  evening  before  he 
died.  As  one  of  our  friends  went  into  his 
room  that  night,  he  cried  out,  “Lord,  save  thy 
poor,  helpless  servant  this  night!  0,  visit  me 
with  salvation  under  the  prayer  of  this  thy  ser¬ 
vant;  pardon  my  sins,  and  heal  my  guilty 
soul!”  The  Lord  heard;  and  before  his  friend 
rose  up  from  prayer,  so  delivered  him,  that  he 
cried  aloud,  “Now  I  am  happy!  Now  I  know 
Jesus  has  forgiven  me  all ,  and  I  shall  be  with 
him  forever!  I  am  happy!  I  am  happy!” 
Thus  he  went  on  for  some  time.  To  his  wife 
he  said,  “  Trust  the  Lord,  and  be  resigned, 
and  seek  his  forgiveness  with  all  your  heart. 
Are  you  resigned?”  She  said,  “  I  can  not  give 
you  up.”  “Not  resigned!”  said  he,  with  great 
concern,  “you  must  be  resigned,  for  I  shall  be 
taken  from  you;  I  shall  die  this  night;  there¬ 
fore,  resign  me  quickly!”  After  lying  com¬ 
posed  a  little,  he  bade  them  pray.  A  person 
present  did  so;  but  he  bade  them  pray  again. 
They  asked,  “Are  you  not  happy?”  He  said, 
“  O  yes,  I  am;  but  you  have  need  yet  to  pray; 
the  time  is  very  short!”  They  prayed  again; 
but  he  turned  to  his  wife,  and  said,  “Do  you 
pray.”  She  said,  “Lord,  help  me  to  pray.” 


2V)4  MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS. 

And  she  found  power  earnestly  to  entreat  the 
Lord  to  finish  his  work,  and  if  any  thing  re¬ 
mained  to  be  done,  speedily  to  make  an  end 
of  sin.  This  satisfied  him,  and  he  said,  “  That 
is  right ;  thank  thee;  the  Lord  is  here,  and  I 
shall  soon  be  happy  forever!”  further  adding, 
“I  have  much  to  say  to  thee,  and  the  time  ia 
very  short.  Are  you  resigned?”  She  said, 
‘•I  hope  I  am.”  "‘Well,”  said  he,  “that  is 
right;  then  I  shall  soon  go!  Trust  God,  and 
he  will  take  care  of  thee.”  After  lying  a 
little,  with  his  eyes  closed,  he  cried,  “Sing — 
sing — I  am  just  going!”  They  could  not  sing 
for  tears;  he  seemed  displeased,  and  cried, 
“Will  none  of  you  sing?”  They  could  not 
answer  him,  and  he  said  to  his  wife,  “What! 
will  not  you  sing?  You  ought  not  to  weep, 
but  to  sing,  when  you  see  me  going  to  God!” 
And  then  he  gave  out,  and  sung  with  a  loud 
voice, 

u  Salvation,  O,  the  joyful  sound. 

What  pleasure  to  our  ears!”  etc. 

After  which  he  lay  composed  a  little;  then 
started  up,  and  said,  “  There  is  the  Lord  Jesus! 
Betsey,  there  is  the  Lord  Jesus!”  And  to  an¬ 
other  he  said,  “  See!  there  he  is! — the  Lord 
Jesus!  I  am  going!”  and  immediately  dropped, 
as  it  were,  asleep,  into  his  arms ;  for  he  spoke 
no  more. 

My  soul  was  comforted  by  the  above  rela¬ 
tion.  0,  what  is  all  below  compared  with  a 
death  like  this!  What  are  trials,  which  are 
but  for  a  moment,  when  the  joy  which  is  set 


MRS.  HESTER  ANN  ROGERS.  295 

before  us  is  so  exceeding  abundant!  The  poor 
widow  now  desires  to  meet  class  with  me,  and 
I  bid  her  come.  May  she  be  joined  to  the 
Lord  in  bonds  never  to  be  broken!  I  am,  my 
dear  friend,  yours,  in  our  common  Lord, 

H.  A.  Rogers. 


the  END. 


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